vomit

1 of 2

verb

vom·​it ˈvä-mət 

vomited; vomiting; vomits

intransitive verb

1

: to disgorge the stomach contents

2

: to spew forth : belch, gush

transitive verb

1

: to disgorge (the contents of the stomach) through the mouth

2

: to eject violently or abundantly : spew

3

: to cause to vomit

vomiter noun

vomit

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of disgorging the contents of the stomach through the mouth

also : the disgorged matter

2

: emetic

Synonyms

Verb

• barf
• gag
• heave
• hurl
• puke
• retch
• spew
• spit up
• throw up
• upchuck

Examples of vomit in a Sentence

Verb

The dog vomited on the floor.

The patient was vomiting blood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The trial revealed that by day three of the retreat, Carr-Gomm was vomiting, weak, and in increasing pain, yet those around her, including fellow workshop attendees, misinterpreted her condition as a 'healing crisis' rather than a medical emergency. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Many people experience their worst digestive issues during the first day or two after their weekly injection, and have learned to delay their shot on days when vomiting or diarrhea would be particularly inconvenient, such as during job interviews, air travel, or holiday parties. —Adam Gilden, Md, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

But tooth-melting vomit is just the tip of the iceberg. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

National Geographic harnesses some of that tendency in this kit that contains instructions and equipment for 15 different gross experiments with themes like boiling boogers, farting slime, bursting blood cells, eyeballs, and test-tube vomit. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French vomite, from Latin vomitus, from vomere to vomit; akin to Old Norse vāma seasickness, Greek emein to vomit

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vomit

1 of 2 noun

vom·​it ˈväm-ət 

: an act of throwing up the contents of the stomach through the mouth

also : the matter thrown up

vomit

2 of 2 verb

: to throw up the contents of the stomach through the mouth

vomiter noun

Medical Definition

vomit

1 of 2 noun

vom·​it ˈväm-ət 

1

: vomiting

2

: stomach contents disgorged through the mouth

called also vomitus

vomit

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to disgorge the stomach contents

transitive verb

: to disgorge (the contents of the stomach) through the mouth