stomach

1 of 2

noun

stom·​ach ˈstə-mək How to pronounce stomach (audio)
-mik
Synonyms of stomachnext
1
a(1)
: a saclike expansion of the digestive tract of a vertebrate that is located between the esophagus and duodenum and typically consists of a simple often curved sac with an outer serous covering, a strong muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and an inner mucous membrane lining that contains gastric glands

Note: In humans, the stomach is located in the upper abdomen, below the esophagus and above the small intestine. It functions mainly to partially digest food by grinding and mixing it with gastric secretions (such as hydrochloric acid and pepsin). Mucus is also secreted to protect the stomach lining from damage by the acidic environment. Once ingested food has been partially digested by the stomach, it is discharged through the pylorus into the duodenum in the form of the semifluid chyme for further digestion.

(2)
: one of the compartments making up the stomach of a ruminant animal (such as a cow or sheep)
… the rumen, the largest of the four stomachs in an older animal, is undeveloped at birth and is considerably smaller than the abomasum or true stomach.—Norman Barron
b
: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen
He was punched in the stomach.
c
: a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach
When a leaf containing the bacteria is ingested by the larva of certain insects, the new gene produces a protein that attacks the stomach lining of the insect and causes death.—The New York Times
2
a
: desire for food caused by hunger : appetite
After the hike, she had a good stomach for lunch.
b
: inclination, desire
had no stomach for an argument
also : courage, guts
3
obsolete
a
: spirit, valor
b
: arrogance
c
: spleen, resentment

stomach

2 of 2

verb

stomached; stomaching; stomachs

transitive verb

1
: to bear without overt reaction or resentment : put up with
couldn't stomach office politics
2
archaic : to take offense at

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of stomach in a Sentence

Noun She has problems with her stomach. I've had enough to eat. My stomach is full. He was lying on his stomach. Verb I could barely stomach the smell. I can't stomach raw onions.
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.
Noun
In the video, Gomez could be seen posing on the carpet and occasionally placing her hands in front of her stomach. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 This has led to scrutiny and speculation from some people online, with one TikTok user assuming the actor and singer was trying to hide her stomach after attending a different event the day before. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Perhaps cricket can stomach that axing, but potentially not being part of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, will sting. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 What happens next is hard to stomach, even though the horror occurs offstage. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stomach 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stomak, from Anglo-French estomac, from Latin stomachus gullet, esophagus, stomach, from Greek stomachos, from stoma mouth; akin to Middle Breton staffn mouth, Avestan staman-

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

Phrases Containing stomach

Dictionary Entries Near stomach

stoma

stomach

stomachache

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Stomach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stomach. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

stomach

1 of 2 noun
stom·​ach ˈstəm-ək How to pronounce stomach (audio)
-ik
1
a
: a pouch of the vertebrate digestive system into which food passes from the esophagus for mixing and digestion before passing to the duodenum of the small intestine
b
: a cavity with a similar function in an invertebrate animal
c
: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen
2
a
: desire for food caused by hunger : appetite
b
: desire entry 2 sense 1, inclination
had no stomach for an argument

stomach

2 of 2 verb
: tolerate sense 1
could not stomach the smell

Medical Definition

stomach

noun
stom·​ach ˈstəm-ək, -ik How to pronounce stomach (audio)
1
a
: a saclike expansion of the digestive tract of a vertebrate communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly with the duodenum and being typically a simple often curved sac with an outer serous coat, a strong complex muscular wall that contracts rhythmically, and a mucous lining membrane that contains gastric glands
b
: one of the compartments of a ruminant stomach
the abomasum is the fourth stomach of a ruminant
2
: a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous to a stomach
3
: the part of the body that contains the stomach : belly, abdomen

More from Merriam-Webster on stomach

Nglish: Translation of stomach for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stomach for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stomach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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