rectal

adjective

rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal walls
rectal cancer
rectally adverb

Examples of rectal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Common symptoms include rectal bleeding, itching, and changes in bowel habits. Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024 The analysis further showed a strong association between colon cancer risk and obesity, family history of gastrointestinal malignancy, and symptoms such as abdominal pain or rectal bleeding. Don Rauf, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Oct. 2024 The researchers measured all sorts of physiological data, including core temperature with a rectal thermometer, skin temperature with four different probes, and forehead temperature with an infrared thermometer. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 26 Sep. 2024 Just like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain can have a laundry list of other possible causes, like heartburn, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections, and kidney stones. Amy Norton, SELF, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rectal 

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectal was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near rectal

Cite this Entry

“Rectal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

rectal

adjective
rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal bleeding
rectally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rectal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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