digestion
noun
di·ges·tion
| \ dī-ˈjes-chən
, də-, -ˈjesh-\
, də-, -ˈjesh-\
Definition of digestion
: the action, process, or power of digesting: such as
a
: the process of making food absorbable by mechanically and enzymatically breaking it down into simpler chemical compounds in the digestive tract
b
: the process in sewage treatment by which organic matter in sludge is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria with the release of a burnable mixture of gases
Examples of digestion in a Sentence
an enzyme that aids in the digestion of protein
She began to suffer from poor digestion as she grew older.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hummingbirds’ anatomy and digestion are very different from humans. — Jessica Pollock, The Conversation, "Curious kids: Why don’t hummingbirds get fat or sick from drinking sugary nectar?," 23 Aug. 2019 From antibacterial properties, aiding digestion, hay fever, colds, energy and even as cure for sleeping disorders the list goes on. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "James Middleton Reveals Surprise Passion for Beekeeping: 'It’s a Chance to Escape My Mind'," 23 Aug. 2019 Some scientists believe this is so because these foods contain proteins that are unusually stable to digestion, heating and changes in pH and are therefore more likely to cause an immune response. — Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, "How to Prevent Food Allergies," 24 July 2019 Many of the foods the Hawks promote are intended to decrease inflammation, promote healing and help with digestion. — Jimmy Greenfield, chicagotribune.com, "Blackhawks teach their prospects how to eat smarter — say yes to bone broth and dark chocolate — to get them to the NHL faster," 19 July 2019 Liquid coconut oil can be added to salad dressing or homemade mayonnaise to help digestion and maximize nutrient uptake, says Fife. — Byron P. Lee, Woman's Day, "5 Ways You Can Use Coconut Oil to Lose Weight," 28 Dec. 2017 One is your activity level, because exercise can help move digestion along. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "How Much Fiber Should I Be Eating to Feel Regular?," 30 May 2019 Antacids can reduce protein digestion in the stomach, Mitre explained, which may lead to food allergies. — Alan Mozes, chicagotribune.com, "Babies given antacids, antibiotics may have higher risk for allergies, asthma," 3 Apr. 2018 Drinking blood is an unusual diet, and research published last year showed that vampire finches have evolved specialized bacteria in their guts to aid digestion. — Joshua Sokol, New York Times, "The Vampire Birds of the Galápagos Have Fascinating Inner Lives," 8 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'digestion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for digestion
digestion
noun
English Language Learners Definition of digestion
: the process by which food is changed to a simpler form after it is eaten
See the full definition for digestion in the English Language Learners Dictionary
digestion
noun
di·ges·tion
| \ dī-ˈjes-chən
, dÉ™-\
, dÉ™-\
Kids Definition of digestion
: the body's process or power of changing food into simpler forms that can be taken up and used
digestion
noun
di·ges·tion
| \ dī-ˈjes(h)-chən, də-
\
\
Medical Definition of digestion
: the action, process, or power of digesting
especially
: the process of making food absorbable by mechanically and enzymatically breaking it down into simpler chemical compounds in the digestive tract
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