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digestive system
noun
: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes
Examples of digestive system in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But a bear’s digestive system usually struggles to break down the seeds, pits, skins, and sometimes even the berry flesh.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 30 May 2024
But really the cancers that have the highest rate of rise are actually cancers within the digestive system.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for digestive system
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digestive system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1790, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near digestive system
Cite this Entry
“Digestive system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digestive%20system. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
digestive system
noun
: the bodily system concerned with the intake, breakdown, and absorption of food and the discharge of wastes and that includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, anus, and glands (as the salivary glands)
Medical Definition
digestive system
noun
: the bodily system concerned with the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food and the discharge of residual wastes and consisting of the digestive tract and accessory glands (such as the salivary glands and the pancreas) that secrete digestive enzymes
called also alimentary system
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