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 plural
3
bowels plural : the interior parts
especially : the deep or remote parts
bowels of the earth
bowelless
ˈbau̇(-ə)l-ləs How to pronounce bowel (audio)
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.
Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 That can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, or changes in your bowel habits. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026 Pearl was taken to the hospital, according to the news story, and died there with what today would be described as septic shock from a bowel blockage. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026 Anyone with symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or changes in bowel habits should talk to a doctor regardless of age. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 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

Phrases Containing bowel

Rhymes for bowel

See All Rhymes for bowel

Browse Nearby Words

bowed tremolo
bowel
Bowell
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowel. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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