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 
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.
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 23 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share