1
: of, relating to, situated near, or involving the anus
an anal fin
2
psychoanalytic theory
a
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being the stage of psychosexual development which follows the oral stage (see oral entry 1 sense 3) and during which the child is concerned especially with his or her feces
b
: of, relating to, characterized by, or being personality traits (such as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
an anal disposition
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or preciseI have a mania for neatness in some matters that is almost anal.—
Joseph Heller
Joseph HellerExamples of anal in a Sentence
Adjective
He can be pretty anal about keeping his office neat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 29 Nov. 2024
In her new book Cher: The Memoir, Part 1, which was released on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Oscar-winning Moonstruck actress, 78, claims how her pal Fawcett — who died in 2009 at age 62, three years after she was diagnosed with anal cancer — wanted to move in with Cher towards the end of her life.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The sores typically appear in the genital or anal areas or in the mouth.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
This test evaluates whether the nerves that work with the anal muscles are functioning correctly.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anal 
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Adjective
There's a light-up see-saw, a miniature zip line, a giant skunk sculpture that sprays fog from its anal glands and, of course, a large mastodon sculpture that pays homage to The Acres' history.
—Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 29 Nov. 2024
In her new book Cher: The Memoir, Part 1, which was released on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Oscar-winning Moonstruck actress, 78, claims how her pal Fawcett — who died in 2009 at age 62, three years after she was diagnosed with anal cancer — wanted to move in with Cher towards the end of her life.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The sores typically appear in the genital or anal areas or in the mouth.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
This test evaluates whether the nerves that work with the anal muscles are functioning correctly.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anal
Dictionary Entries Near anal
Cite this Entry
“Anal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anal. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anal
1 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or situated near the anus
the anal opening
anal fissures
2
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the oral stage and during which a child derives libidinal gratification from the expulsion and retention of the feces and conflict arises from parental demands regarding toilet training
During the anal stage, from about 18 months to 3 years, the sphincter muscles become sensitive and controllable and bowel and bladder retention and elimination become a source of gratification.—David G. Myers, Psychology
David G. Myers, Psychology
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as orderliness, frugality, and obstinacy) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development : anal-retentive
—often used in nontechnical contexts to describe someone as extremely or excessively neat, careful, or precise
compare genital sense 3, oral sense 3, phallic sense 2
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