rectum
noun
rec·tum
| \ ˈrek-təm
\
\
plural rectums
or recta\ ˈrek-tə
\
\
Definition of rectum
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus
Examples of rectum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon’s lining and rectum at the end of the colon. — Julie Washington, cleveland.com, "Newer guidelines call for colonoscopies 5 years earlier, many insurances cover costs," 28 July 2019 Around the same time, DCFS workers learned of allegations that Noah had been sodomized and had injuries to his rectum, according to a DCFS case file read to The Times by one of the sources. — Garrett Therolf, latimes.com, "Social workers didn’t remove boy from his home despite court order. He later died," 11 July 2019 Unlike rectal cancer, which forms in the rectum or colon, anal cancer forms on the anal canal, near the sphincter muscles. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "Marcia Cross Reveals New Details of Her Anal Cancer Diagnosis," 5 June 2019 These muscles work like a hammock to brace organs such as the uterus, bladder, and rectum. — Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "What to Know About Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Your Pelvic Floor," 10 May 2019 Plus, there’s the fear of having a tube inserted into the rectum. — Julie Washington, cleveland.com, "Newer guidelines call for colonoscopies 5 years earlier, many insurances cover costs," 28 July 2019 The prostate, or P-spot, is roughly three to four inches inside the rectum, about an inch in diameter. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "A Guide to Pegging Your Partner With a Strap On," 8 May 2019 In women, the urethra — the gateway to the urinary tract — is in proximity to the rectum. — Matt Richtel, New York Times, "Urinary Tract Infections Affect Millions. The Cures Are Faltering.," 6 Apr. 2019 These include cancers of the throat, esophagus, mouth, voice box (larynx), colon and rectum, liver, and breast. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "Casual Alcohol Use Has Been Linked to Several Major Cancers—So Where's the Campaign?," 27 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rectum.' 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 rectum
rectum
noun
English Language Learners Definition of rectum
medical
: the end of the tube in your body that helps digest food : the last part of the large intestine
See the full definition for rectum in the English Language Learners Dictionary
rectum
noun
rec·tum
| \ ˈrek-təm
\
\
plural rectums
also recta\ -tə \
Kids Definition of rectum
: the last part of the large intestine
rectum
noun
rec·tum
| \ ˈrek-təm
\
\
plural rectums
or recta\ -tə
\
\
Medical Definition of rectum
: the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus