bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

biology : intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

the large bowel

move your bowels

2

archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage

—usually used in plural

3

bowels plural : the interior parts

especially : the deep or remote parts

bowels of the earth

bowelless

ˈbau̇(-ə)l-ləs 

adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel

They dug deep into the bowels of the earth.

The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rosen reminds people that the symptoms of colorectal cancer are bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or things just not seeming right with your stool. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025

These fibers mildly irritate your large bowel, triggering the release of water and mucus to move things along. —Julie Stewart, SELF, 25 Mar. 2025

Prostaglandins may also cause the intestines to contract, leading to diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements.1 Symptoms and Ages Vary The symptoms and ages when girls get their first period vary greatly. —Cordelia Nwankwo, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025

This can create pelvic floor tension, hip pain, lower back issues, pain with intercourse, as well as urinary and bowel concerns. —Dana Solomon, Outside Online, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bowel

• bowel movement
• inflammatory bowel disease
• irritable bowel syndrome

Rhymes for bowel

• dowel
• howel
• howell
• towel
• vowel
• avowal
• disavowal

Kids Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

a

: intestine entry 2, gut

—usually used in plural

b

: a division of the intestine

2

plural : the interior parts

the bowels of the earth

3

archaic : supply of mercy or courage

—usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

: intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

move your bowels

surgery of the involved bowel