bowel movement

noun

plural bowel movements
: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus
He had a two-day history of right lower abdominal pain … without bowel movements.—William W. Scott, Jr. et al.
also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool sense 3a
Cats get infected from contact with other cats' bowel movements or by predation. —Donald Caslow

Examples of bowel movement 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.
Researchers found a link between bowel movement frequency and long-term health. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The shape, color and cadence of your bowel movements matter, and the era of squeamish silence is closing. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Doctors say your bowel movements are worth paying attention to even without a smart toilet, and any persistent change in bathroom habits deserves a professional evaluation. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 Malone never had normal bowel movements in his 16 months of life, his parents would later tell investigators. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowel movement

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowel movement was in 1870

Rhymes for bowel movement

See All Rhymes for bowel movement

Browse Nearby Words

bowelless
bowel movement
Bowen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bowel movement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowel%20movement. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bowel movement

noun
: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus
also : fecal matter expelled at one passage : stool

Medical Definition

bowel movement

noun
: an act of passing usually solid waste through the rectum and anus
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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