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

Constipation, or fewer than three bowel movements per week, may result in anal fissures that cause bleeding. —Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 17 June 2024

Much of deciding if your child needs electrolyte supplementation is looking at fluids coming in (i.e. food and water) versus fluids going out (i.e. urine, bowel movements, sweating). —Willow Jarosh, Ms, Parents, 11 June 2024

Hemorrhoids are famous for causing bright red blood in stool, particularly after a bowel movement. —Theresa Tamkins, SELF, 10 June 2024

After ingesting the medicinal tea, most participants will experience a purging reaction, which could include vomiting or even a bowel movement. —Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2023

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