peristalsis
noun
peri·stal·sis
ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs 
-ˈstäl-,
-ˈstal-
plural peristalses
ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-ˌsēz
-ˈstäl-,
-ˈstal-
: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (such as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward
Examples of peristalsis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The active ingredients senna and bisacodyl make the muscles in the intestines contract, which is called peristalsis.
—
Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
The pressure of my lower esophageal sphincter was fine; the wavelike motion of swallowing, called peristalsis, was normal.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
These contractions are called peristalsis.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2014
These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for peristalsis 
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Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
The pressure of my lower esophageal sphincter was fine; the wavelike motion of swallowing, called peristalsis, was normal.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
These contractions are called peristalsis.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2014
These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for peristalsis
Dictionary Entries Near peristalsis
Cite this Entry
“Peristalsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peristalsis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
peristalsis
noun
peri·stal·sis
ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs
-ˈstäl-
-ˈstäl-
-ˈstal-
plural peristalses
-ˌsēz
: the contracting and expanding movements by which food and waste products of digestion are forced through parts (as the esophagus and intestine) of the digestive system
peristaltic
adjective
-tik
Medical Definition
peristalsis
noun
peri·stal·sis
ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs
-ˈstäl-
-ˈstäl-
-ˈstal-
plural peristalses
-ˌsēz
: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward compare segmentation sense 2
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