abomasum

noun

ab·​oma·​sum ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səm How to pronounce abomasum (audio)
plural abomasa ˌa-bō-ˈmā-sə How to pronounce abomasum (audio)
: the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function compare rumen, reticulum
abomasal
ˌa-bō-ˈmā-səl How to pronounce abomasum (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abomāsum, from ab- ab- + omāsum omasum

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abomasum was in 1678

Rhymes for abomasum

See All Rhymes for abomasum

Browse Nearby Entries

abomasum
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abomasum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abomasum. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

abomasum

noun
ab·​oma·​sum ˌab-ō-ˈmā-səm How to pronounce abomasum (audio)
plural abomasa -sə How to pronounce abomasum (audio)
: the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function compare rumen, reticulum
abomasal
-səl How to pronounce abomasum (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on abomasum

Nglish: Translation of abomasum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abomasum

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
clapperboard-popcorn
Hollywood Lingo Quiz Are you a showbiz whiz?
See All