colorectal
adjective
co·lo·rec·tal
ˌkō-lō-ˈrek-tᵊl 
: relating to or affecting the colon and rectum
colorectal cancer
Examples of colorectal in a Sentence
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While individual risk factors vary, the average risk of developing colorectal cancer over one's lifetime is about 1 in 24 for men and about 1 in 26 for women, per the American Cancer Society.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The charismatic Dawson’s Creek star lost his battle with colorectal cancer on Wednesday.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
James Van Der Beek, who played the titular Dawson Leery on Kevin Williamson’s WB hit Dawson’s Creek and also starred in Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction and other films and TV shows, died Wednesday after a long battle with colorectal cancer.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
James Van Der Beek, who played a beloved teen heartthrob at the center of the late '90s and early aughts drama Dawson’s Creek, has died following a battle with colorectal cancer.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colorectal
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Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The charismatic Dawson’s Creek star lost his battle with colorectal cancer on Wednesday.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
James Van Der Beek, who played the titular Dawson Leery on Kevin Williamson’s WB hit Dawson’s Creek and also starred in Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction and other films and TV shows, died Wednesday after a long battle with colorectal cancer.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
James Van Der Beek, who played a beloved teen heartthrob at the center of the late '90s and early aughts drama Dawson’s Creek, has died following a battle with colorectal cancer.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colorectal
Cite this Entry
“Colorectal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorectal. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
colorectal
adjective
co·lo·rec·tal
ˌkō-lə-ˈrek-tᵊl, ˌkäl-ə-
: relating to or affecting the colon and the rectum
colorectal cancer
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