digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes

Examples of digestive system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Constipation-Relieving Yoga Poses Poses that focus on twisting might help stimulate the body’s digestive system, and stretching the hips and abs may help provide constipation relief. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2024

The most common causes of death for hamsters are respiratory or digestive system infections, cancer, organ dysfunction and metabolic disease, says Greenstein. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024

And, choosing to eat more calories earlier in the day may be an effective weight-loss strategy because that is when the digestive system is most effective at processing food—especially sugar—and using it for fuel rather than storing it. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

The digestive system is complicated, and the precise cause of IBS isn’t well understood. —Stacey Colino, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the intake, breakdown, and absorption of food and the discharge of wastes and that includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, anus, and glands (as the salivary glands)

Medical Definition

digestive system

noun

: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes

called also alimentary system