bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

biology : intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

the large bowel

move your bowels

2

archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage

—usually used in plural

3

bowels plural : the interior parts

especially : the deep or remote parts

bowels of the earth

bowelless

ˈbau̇(-ə)l-ləs 

adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel

They dug deep into the bowels of the earth.

The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.

Recent Examples on the Web

Normally fans don’t get to see this game because it’s played in the lower bowels of most rinks around the league. —The Athletic Nhl Staff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

Eventually, if the bowel becomes blocked, a bowel obstruction occurs, and emergency surgery may become necessary, Melmed says. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

Early detection of breast, cervical, colorectal (bowel), skin, and prostate cancer can all improve clinical outcomes. —Venki Ramakrishnan, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

Tight pelvic floor muscles Your pelvic floor, which includes the muscles that support your pelvis, bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs (a.k.a. —Ashley Abramson, SELF, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bowel

• bowel movement
• inflammatory bowel disease
• irritable bowel syndrome

Kids Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

1

a

: intestine entry 2, gut

—usually used in plural

b

: a division of the intestine

2

plural : the interior parts

the bowels of the earth

3

archaic : supply of mercy or courage

—usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 

: intestine, gut

also : one of the divisions of the intestines

—usually used in plural except in medical use

move your bowels

surgery of the involved bowel