rectal

adjective

rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal walls
rectal cancer
rectally adverb

Examples of rectal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All 49 patients with early-stage rectal cancer who received six months of immunotherapy were able to avoid surgery. ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025 The first clinical trial testing the therapy started with only 18 patients, all of whom had rectal cancer. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Among patients with rectal cancer, a previous study found that all 42 participants who received the therapy remained cancer-free after four years. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 Compared to people born around 1950, those born around 1990 have double the risk of developing colon cancer and quadruple the risk of getting rectal cancer, indicates one sobering study.4 What’s driving that trend? Jamie Ducharme, Health, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rectal

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectal was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Rectal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectal. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

rectal

adjective
rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal bleeding
rectally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rectal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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