small intestine

noun

: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body

Examples of small intestine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In less than 1% of people with celiac disease, gluten acts as a trigger for the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine, leading to:3 Inflammation Malabsorption Villous atrophy There are hundreds of possible symptoms associated with celiac disease. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025

Once in your guts (your small intestine, to be specific), the worms live their best lives, maturing to adults, finding mates, and reproducing, all while sucking the life-blood out of you from the inside. —Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025

All fibers generally aren’t digested well in your small intestine and slide through to your large intestine relatively unscathed, which can help keep you regular. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 20 Feb. 2025

The lower portion is connected directly to the new stomach pouch, allowing food to pass directly into the small intestine, where digestion continues but fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed. —New Atlas, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for small intestine

• clandestine
• progestin

Kids Definition

small intestine

noun

: the long narrow part of the intestine between the stomach and the colon in which food is mostly digested, from which digested food is absorbed into the body, and which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Medical Definition

small intestine

noun

: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients

called also small bowel