bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
1
biology : intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines
usually used in plural except in medical use
the large bowel
move your bowels
2
archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage
usually used in plural
3
bowels plural : the interior parts
especially : the deep or remote parts
bowels of the earth
bowelless adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel They dug deep into the bowels of the earth. The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new findings are part of the largest single study on diet and colorectal cancer (also called bowel cancer), which included over a half-million women and nearly 100 food products and nutrients. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Jan. 2025 Visceral hypersensitivity: Many people with IBS experience an exaggerated pain response to bowel activity and digestion, likely because their nervous system sends stronger pain signals to the brain as food moves through the intestines, leading to abdominal pain during digestion. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 15 Dec. 2024 Normally fans don’t get to see this game because it’s played in the lower bowels of most rinks around the league. The Athletic Nhl Staff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 Eventually, if the bowel becomes blocked, a bowel obstruction occurs, and emergency surgery may become necessary, Melmed says. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bowel 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bowel

Cite this Entry

“Bowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowel. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

bowel

noun
bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
1
a
: intestine entry 2, gut
usually used in plural
b
: a division of the intestine
2
plural : the interior parts
the bowels of the earth
3
archaic : supply of mercy or courage
usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun
bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
: intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines
usually used in plural except in medical use
move your bowels
surgery of the involved bowel

More from Merriam-Webster on bowel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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