digestive tract

noun

: the tubular passage typically extending from the mouth to the anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract

Examples of digestive tract 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.
The soluble fiber in chia seeds absorbs liquid and forms a gel-like texture in the digestive tract. — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 July 2026 Most of this fiber is insoluble, which adds bulk to the stool and helps move food through the digestive tract, says Landry. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 19 June 2026 Biologists also know that pike move food through their digestive tracts very rapidly. — Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026 Those sharp fragments can cause choking, become lodged in the digestive tract, or even puncture the stomach or intestines. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for digestive tract

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of digestive tract was in 1842

Rhymes for digestive tract

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Browse Nearby Words

digestive system
digestive tract
digest medium
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Cite this Entry

“Digestive tract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digestive%20tract. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

digestive tract

noun
: the tubular passage typically extending from mouth to anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract

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