rectum

noun

rec·​tum ˈrek-təm 

plural rectums or recta ˈrek-tə 

: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Examples of rectum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Interestingly, chimpanzees in a different group at the sanctuary started demonstrating the same behavior more than a decade later, with some also inserting objects into their rectums. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 10 July 2025

These include adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, breast, colon/rectum, uterus, gallbladder, upper stomach, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid, meningioma, and multiple myeloma. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

While colon cancer originates in the colon, rectal cancer begins in the rectum. —Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025

For the first time, the team observed glucose excretion in the small intestine, followed by its transport to the large intestine and rectum. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from rectum intestinum, literally, straight intestine

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rectum

• latus rectum

Rhymes for rectum

• tectum

Kids Definition

rectum

noun

rec·​tum ˈrek-təm 

plural rectums or recta -tə 

: the end of the large intestine that links the colon to the anus

rectal

-tᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

rectum

noun

rec·​tum ˈrek-təm 

plural rectums or recta -tə 

: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus