intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈte-stə-nᵊl 

-ˈtes(t)-nəl,

-ˈte-sᵊn-əl,

 British often  ˌin-(ˌ)te-ˈstī-nᵊl

1

: affecting, occurring, or living in the intestine

2

: of, relating to, or being the intestine

intestinally adverb

Examples of intestinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Derek’s oldest son, Dallas, was rushed into emergency surgery at Valley Children’s Healthcare in 2013 because of intestinal malrotation, a potentially life-threatening condition that affected his blood supply and intestinal tract, and spent several weeks there. —Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The news Abbott Labs’ specialized formula is not responsible for a young baby boy developing a severe intestinal illness known as necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a jury in Missouri state court found Thursday night —wrapping up a roughly five-week trial closely watched by investors. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024

This strain produces a toxin that can damage the lining of the intestinal wall and cause severe infection and bloody diarrhea. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

Escherichia coli is a bacteria that exists in food and water and in people's and animals' intestines, as a healthy part of the intestinal tract, the CDC said. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intestinal

• intestinal fortitude

Kids Definition

intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl 

1

: of or relating to the intestine

2

: affecting or occurring in the intestine

intestinally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal

in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl, -ˈtes(t)-nəl, -ˈtes-ᵊn-əl, British often ˌin-(ˌ)tes-ˈtīn-ᵊl

1

a

: affecting or occurring in the intestine

intestinal digestion

intestinal catarrh

b

: living in the intestine

the intestinal flora

an intestinal worm

2

: of, relating to, or being the intestine

the intestinal canal

intestinally

-ē 

adverb