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small intestine
noun
: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body
Examples of small intestine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brekke adds that in their uncooked state, raw potatoes are also higher in resistant starch, a type of starch that cannot be broken down in the small intestine.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
Various factors can set the scene for bacteria to swarm your small intestine.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024
The human digestive tract was, by Lane’s estimation, the biological equivalent of the household drainage system: with the stomach as the toilet bowl, the small intestine the drainpipe and the large bowel the septic tank.
—Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
The stomach holds food and breaks it down before passing it into the small intestine.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 19 Sep. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1767, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near small intestine
Cite this Entry
“Small intestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20intestine. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
small intestine
noun
: the long narrow part of the intestine between the stomach and the colon in which food is mostly digested, from which digested food is absorbed into the body, and which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
Medical Definition
small intestine
noun
: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients
called also small bowel
More from Merriam-Webster on small intestine
Nglish: Translation of small intestine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about small intestine
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