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
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 was a bowel obstruction in my small intestine. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026 This first stab at our enemies happens just before the food enters our small intestine. — Literary Hub, 4 June 2026 Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack the small intestine when a person eats gluten. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 The parasite infects the small intestine, though people may not always develop symptoms. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for small intestine

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of small intestine was in 1767

Rhymes for small intestine

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Browse Nearby Words

smalling
small intestine
smallish
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Cite this Entry

“Small intestine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20intestine. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on small intestine

Nglish: Translation of small intestine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about small intestine

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