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

The following cancers decreased among women between 2017 and 2021: brain and other nervous system, cervix, colon and rectum, urinary bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovary, thyroid, and lung and bronchus. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Green has been vocal about his health challenges, recounting his battle with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the colon and rectum, and vertigo in 2023. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Epidemiological studies have shown that alcohol is causally linked to cancer of the oral cavity, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, and breast. —Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025

That comedy, about a father who becomes a serial killer that sucks victims into his rectum, also plumbed an unserious premise for droll laughs and modest surprises. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 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