bowel movement

noun

plural bowel movements

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus

He had a two-day history of right lower abdominal pain … without bowel movements.

—William W. Scott, Jr. et al.

also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool sense 3a

Cats get infected from contact with other cats' bowel movements or by predation.

—Donald Caslow

Examples of bowel movement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Difficulty with bowel movements, such as straining, pain, or even bleeding, can lead to hemorrhoids. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025

Staying hydrated supports healthy, normal bowel movements. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 24 Feb. 2025

A day later, a social worker told the new mother: The baby’s meconium — or first bowel movement — had tested positive for opiates. —Shoshana Walter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Psyllium husk can improve gut health by encouraging regular bowel movements and helping with digestion.4 Fiber intake recommendations range from 19-38 grams daily, depending on gender and age. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bowel movement

• improvement

Kids Definition

bowel movement

noun

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus

also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool

Medical Definition

bowel movement

noun

: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus