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plural enemas also enemata
ˌe-nə-ˈmä-tə
ˈe-nə-mə-tə
1
: the injection of liquid into the rectum and colon by way of the anus
2
: material for injection as an enema
Examples of enema in a Sentence
The nurse gave the patient an enema.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel had worried that that year of enemas would scar August forever, psychologically, and the many months of colostomy bags after that, but the boy had grown up well-adjusted, all things considered.
—Camille Bordas, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Leeches, enemas, and blistering—the deliberate raising of blisters on the skin—were part of the treatment.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
It was usually smoked, ingested in the form of snuff, or used as an enema.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 June 2023
The authors used an enema to administer all the poop transplants, a route the study notes would have the lowest rate of side effects.
—Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
If the enema didn’t reanimate the victim, a rescuer might try shaking the person vigorously, blood-letting, or even applying red-hot irons to the bottom of the feet.
—Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2023
Most healthcare professionals suggest avoiding chronic use of stimulant laxatives and consulting with a medical professional before beginning enemas.
—Jenny Friedman, Ms, Parents, 3 Aug. 2023
Some celebrities have promoted enemas as ways to detoxify the body (experts don't necessarily agree).
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2023
To slow the process of decay, a turpentine-like solution was sometimes injected as an enema to dissolve the digestive tract.
—George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2013
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enema.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near enema
Cite this Entry
“Enema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enema. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
enema
noun
en·e·ma
ˈen-ə-mə
: the injection of liquid into the rectum by way of the anus usually to cause the intestines to empty
also
: the material injected
Medical Definition
enema
noun
en·e·ma
ˈen-ə-mə
plural enemas also enemata
ˌen-ə-ˈmät-ə
ˈen-ə-mə-tə
1
: the injection of liquid into the rectum and colon by way of the anus (as for cleansing or examination)
2
: the liquid injected by an enema
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