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

This can help move fluid toward your lymphatic, urinary, and digestive systems for removal from your body. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025

Laparoscopies are usually performed by a general surgeon, gynecologist, or gastroenterological surgeon (a surgeon who specializes in the digestive system). —Heidi Cope, Health, 18 Feb. 2025

Colorectal cancer, per the American Cancer Society, starts in the colon or the rectum, which make up the large intestine in the digestive system. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Vavrek recommends drinking plenty of water to help move legumes through your digestive system and prevent constipation. —Korin Miller, Outside Online, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for digestive system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

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