bowel

noun

bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
1
biology : intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines
usually used in plural except in medical use
the large bowel
move your bowels
2
archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage
usually used in plural
3
bowels plural : the interior parts
especially : the deep or remote parts
bowels of the earth
bowelless adjective

Examples of bowel in a Sentence

a disease of the bowel They dug deep into the bowels of the earth. The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.
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.
Another account claims that Babur may have been given poison during a meal, which led to severe bowel distress and ultimately proved fatal. Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 Had my symptoms maybe been put down to irritable bowel, for example, that could’ve been ongoing and ongoing and ongoing for a much longer period of time. Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 The biggest red flags linked to colorectal cancer include ongoing bleeding, persistent anemia and changes in bowel habits, according to the doctor. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Injuries range from mouth splinters and choking to bowel blockages, eye damage, wounds, infections, or even sticks penetrating the body; vets have treated severe cases, some fatal. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowel

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowel was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowel. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

bowel

noun
bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
1
a
: intestine entry 2, gut
usually used in plural
b
: a division of the intestine
2
plural : the interior parts
the bowels of the earth
3
archaic : supply of mercy or courage
usually used in plural

Medical Definition

bowel

noun
bow·​el ˈbau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce bowel (audio)
: intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines
usually used in plural except in medical use
move your bowels
surgery of the involved bowel

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