small intestine

noun

: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body

Examples of small intestine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Surgical removal of the last portion of the small intestines can lead to vitamin K deficiency because fat-soluble vitamins are usually absorbed in the small intestines. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2025

Oral bioavailability, the bioavailability of drugs that are swallowed or otherwise delivered into the stomach, is affected by several factors, including the pH of the stomach and small intestine and enzymes and metabolism in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. —Paul McClure 13, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025

Unlike long-chain fatty acids, MCTs are absorbed intact from the small intestine. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025

The small intestine, the narrowest part of the system, is at the greatest risk of obstruction and possible damage. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for small intestine

• clandestine
• progestin

Kids Definition

small intestine

noun

: the long narrow part of the intestine between the stomach and the colon in which food is mostly digested, from which digested food is absorbed into the body, and which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Medical Definition

small intestine

noun

: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients

called also small bowel