¹intestine

adjective in·tes·tine \in-ˈtes-tən\

Definition of INTESTINE

: internal; specifically : of or relating to the internal affairs of a state or country <intestine war>

Origin of INTESTINE

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French intestin, from Latin intestinus, from intus within — more at ent-

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with INTESTINE

Avestan, predestine

²intestine

noun

: a long tube in the body that helps digest food after it leaves the stomach

Full Definition of INTESTINE

: the tubular part of the alimentary canal that extends from the stomach to the anus — compare large intestine, small intestine

See intestine defined for English-language learners

See intestine defined for kids

Illustration of INTESTINE

Origin of INTESTINE

Middle English, from Middle French intestin, from Latin intestinum, from neuter of intestinus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

INTESTINE[1] Defined for Kids

intestine

noun in·tes·tine \in-ˈte-stən\

Definition of INTESTINE for Kids

: the lower part of the digestive canal that is a long tube made up of the small intestine and large intestine and in which most of the digestion and absorption of food occurs and through which waste material passes to be discharged

Medical Dictionary

intestine

noun in·tes·tine \in-ˈtes-tən\

Medical Definition of INTESTINE

: the tubular portion of the alimentary canal that lies posterior to the stomach from which it is separated by the pyloric sphincter and consists of a slender but long anterior part made up of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum which function in digestion and assimilation of nutrients and a broader shorter posterior part made up of the cecum, colon, and rectum which serve chiefly to extract moisture from the by-products of digestion and evaporate them into feces—often used in plural <the movement of digested food through your intestines—Mayo Clinic Health Letter>; see large intestine, small intestine