rumen

noun

ru·​men ˈrü-mən How to pronounce rumen (audio)
plural rumina ˈrü-mə-nə How to pronounce rumen (audio) or rumens
: the large first compartment of the stomach of a ruminant in which cellulose is broken down by the action of symbiotic microorganisms compare abomasum, omasum, reticulum
ruminal
ˈrü-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce rumen (audio)
adjective

Examples of rumen 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.
There the cows grazed, chewed cud, and literally ruminated, passing rough forage through a digestive organ, the rumen, that humans lack. — Longreads, 2 Nov. 2022 The smaXtec sensor also measures the movement inside of the rumen. — Steven Savage, Forbes, 9 June 2022 The study, published in the scientific journal Frontiers on Friday, looked at samples of rumen from Alpine cows in an abattoir in Austria. — Sara Spary, CNN, 2 July 2021 Anuli had been undergoing treatment since October for episodes of abdominal distension in her rumen, the first compartment in her stomach, according to the zoo. — Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, 5 Mar. 2021 See All Example Sentences for rumen

Word History

Etymology

New Latin rumin-, rumen, from Latin

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumen was in 1707

Rhymes for rumen

See All Rhymes for rumen

Browse Nearby Words

Rumelian
rumen
rumenitis
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Cite this Entry

“Rumen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rumen

noun
ru·​men ˈrü-mən How to pronounce rumen (audio)
plural rumina -mə-nə How to pronounce rumen (audio) or rumens
: the large first compartment of the stomach of a cud-chewing mammal (as a cow) in which cellulose is broken down by the action of microorganisms and in which food is stored prior to chewing

Medical Definition

rumen

noun
ru·​men ˈrü-mən How to pronounce rumen (audio)
plural rumina -mə-nə How to pronounce rumen (audio) or rumens
: the large first compartment of the stomach of a ruminant from which food is regurgitated for rumination and in which cellulose is broken down by the action of symbiotic microorganisms

called also paunch

compare abomasum, omasum, reticulum

More from Merriam-Webster on rumen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rumen

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