impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən 

: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

especially : lodgment of something (such as feces) in a body passage or cavity

Examples of impaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After the Procedure Most people feel almost immediate relief from constipation and impaction symptoms after a manual disimpaction. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 16 Feb. 2025

People with food impaction may gag, vomit, or salivate excessively. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Jan. 2025

Conditions like chronic constipation, fecal impaction, and colorectal cancer require treatment. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Oct. 2024

In more severe cases, manual or surgical removal of the impaction may be necessary.45 Fecal Impaction Symptoms Fecal impaction causes symptoms that initially resemble signs of constipation. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 18 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Kids Definition

impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən 

: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

Medical Definition

impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən 

: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

specifically : lodgment or an instance of lodgment of something (as a tooth or feces) in a body passage or cavity