entrails

plural noun

en·​trails ˈen-ˌtrālz How to pronounce entrails (audio) -trəlz How to pronounce entrails (audio)
1
: bowels, viscera
broadly : internal parts
2
: the inner workings of something
the entrails of the movie industry

Examples of entrails in a Sentence

in ancient Rome predictions of future events would sometimes be based on an examination of the entrails of a sacrificial animal
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.
The patient, relived his entrails weren’t falling out, coiled the worm onto a cardboard tube and went to the hospital. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2018 In one scene Dahmer goes fishing and, while learning to gut his catch, squeezes the entrails between his fingers and watches them ooze. Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2022 Art the Clown likes to play with people’s entrails. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 28 Oct. 2022 But contrary to the name, the dish doesn't actually feature entrails. Kate Springer, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for entrails 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English entrailles, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin intralia, alteration of Latin interanea, plural of interaneum intestine, from neuter of interaneus interior

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of entrails was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near entrails

Cite this Entry

“Entrails.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrails. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

entrails

plural noun
en·​trails ˈen-trəlz How to pronounce entrails (audio)
-ˌtrālz
: internal organs : viscera
especially : the part of the digestive system composed of the intestines

Medical Definition

entrails

noun plural
en·​trails ˈen-trəlz How to pronounce entrails (audio) -ˌtrālz How to pronounce entrails (audio)
: the bowels or viscera especially of an animal

More from Merriam-Webster on entrails

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!