bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

biology : intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

the large bowel

move your bowels

2

archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage

—usually used in plural

3

bowels plural : the interior parts

especially : the deep or remote parts

bowels of the earth

bowelless

ˈbau̇(-ə)l-ləs 

adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel

They dug deep into the bowels of the earth.

The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the summer the museum changed its name to the London Museum as part of a rebrand that included redesigning its logo, which is now a white clay pigeon that has emptied its bowels of golden excrement. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024

Any kind of movement can help keep your bowels regular and prevent constipation versus being sedentary, Dr. Grant says. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2024

Patients taking semaglutide had a greater risk of developing serious stomach problems like bowel obstruction and gastroparesis—when the stomach slows down or completely stops the movement of food to the small intestine—according to a JAMA Ophthalmology study. —Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

The retraining process typically involves creating a structured schedule for bowel movements and using specific techniques to encourage consistent and healthy bowel function. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 18 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bowel

• bowel movement
• inflammatory bowel disease
• irritable bowel syndrome

Kids Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

a

: intestine entry 2, gut

—usually used in plural

b

: a division of the intestine

2

plural : the interior parts

the bowels of the earth

3

archaic : supply of mercy or courage

—usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

: intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

move your bowels

surgery of the involved bowel