intestinal

adjective

in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈte-stə-nᵊl How to pronounce intestinal (audio)
-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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 The severe diarrhea and intestinal inflammation can lead to dehydration and abdominal tenderness. Mustafa Fattah, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024 As noted above, this can occur with structural abnormalities in your GI tract caused by, for example, surgeries that leave behind scar tissue or diseases that affect the shape of your bowels (like diverticulosis, which creates pouches in the intestinal walls). Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intestinal 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intestinal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near intestinal

Cite this Entry

“Intestinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intestinal. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

intestinal

adjective
in·​tes·​ti·​nal in-ˈtes-tən-ᵊl How to pronounce intestinal (audio)
1
: of or relating to the intestine
2
: affecting or occurring in the intestine
intestinally
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intestinal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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