enema
noun
en·e·ma
| \ ˈe-nə-mə
\
\
plural enemas
also enemata\ ˌe-nə-ˈmä-tə
, ˈe-nə-mə-tə \
, ˈe-nə-mə-tə \
Definition of enema
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
According to the autopsy report, the couple suffered respiratory failure and fluid accumulation in their lungs, with Day also suffering a cerebral enema, though the cause of the fatal episodes was not clear and toxicology results are still pending. — Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, "Colorado Couple Says They Became Violently Sick at Dominican Resort Where 3 Americans Died," 7 June 2019 Hutchins administered the enema to the baby after asking her mother for permission because the child seemed constipated, police believe. — Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, "Maryland Babysitter Allegedly Poisoned 6-Month-Old Girl With Enema Containing Lidocaine," 16 Apr. 2018 Other such treatments in history included cigarettes laced with mercury or arsenic, port-wine enemas, the excreta of chameleons and Indian river snakes, and the gastric juices of crows. — Adrian Woolfson, WSJ, "‘The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth’ Review: Desperate Remedies," 12 Dec. 2018 In particular, enemas as a means of detoxification have been discouraged for nearly a century. — Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, "Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle 'detox guide' promotes coffee enema. Experts say it's bogus.," 8 Jan. 2018 Elsewhere, reports have linked coffee enemas to burns, infections, sepsis, and rectal perforation. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "In “triumph of ignorance,” Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop touts $135 coffee enema," 6 Jan. 2018 Some of the most promising research involves fecal transplantation — the introduction through colonoscopy, endoscopy or enema of a donor stool. — Fortune, "Why Washing Your Hands Too Much Could Make You Sick," 12 June 2018 His doctors bled him and gave him enemas to no avail. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "The Legendary Sultan Saladin Was Likely Killed by Typhoid," 8 May 2018 The tests were rigorous and often unpleasant, including daily enemas and having vertigo induced by having ice water squirted in their ears. — Kat Eschner, Outside Online, "One Small Step for a Woman, One Giant Leap for Mankind," 27 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enema.' 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 enema
enema
noun
English Language Learners Definition of enema
medical
: a procedure in which liquid is forced into the intestines through the anus in order to make solid waste pass from the body
also
: the liquid that is used for an enema
See the full definition for enema in the English Language Learners Dictionary
enema
noun
en·e·ma
| \ ˈen-ə-mə
\
\
plural enemas
also enemata\ ˌen-ə-ˈmät-ə
, ˈen-ə-mə-tə
\
, ˈen-ə-mə-tə
\
Medical Definition of enema
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