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

This will help prevent constipation and make bowel movements easier to pass. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 18 Jan. 2025

Lastly, fiber in the evening can promote digestion overnight and encourage regular bowel movements in the morning. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 15 Jan. 2025

Xue explained that pelvic floor muscles coordinate a significant amount of bowel movement and work with the rest of the body to ensure stool comes out smoothly. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024

Due to the loss of fluids through bowel movements, electrolytes like potassium can be easily removed from the body. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

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