bowel
noun
bow·el ˈbau̇(-ə)l 
1
biology : intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines —usually used in plural except in medical use
the large bowel move your bowels
2
archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage —usually used in plural
3
bowels plural : the interior parts
especially : the deep or remote parts
bowels of the earth
bowelless
ˈbau̇(-ə)l-ləs
adjective 
Example Sentences
a disease of the bowel They dug deep into the bowels of the earth. The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.
Recent Examples on the Web Nobody talked outright about bowel movements, but the implication was clear. 
Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 3 July 2022 The mother of the late Dame Deborah James has revealed that the BBC Podcast host did not want to die in the days leading up to her death from bowel cancer on June 28. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2022 Fiber, which is prebiotic, helps stabilize blood sugar, promotes healthy bowel movements, stabilizes the liver, and feeds the microbiome. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Other symptoms include urinary incontinence, difficulty voiding, and problems with bowel movements, either constipation or incontinence. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2022 That could cause issues like hemorrhoids and a temporary dependence on laxatives for regular bowel movements. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 26 July 2022 The bowel damage required surgery and Newell died from surgical complications. Lucia Osborne-crowley, refinery29.com, 26 July 2022 Unlike Crohn’s disease -- another type of inflammatory bowel condition -- microscopic colitis does not have disease that’s visible with endoscopy. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 July 2022 Possible risks: Damage to the bowel, bladder or major blood vessels; bad reaction to anesthesia, wound infection, pelvic or abdominal pain and unwanted pregnancy if the procedure fails. Julie Washington, cleveland, 11 July 2022 See More
Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 3 July 2022 The mother of the late Dame Deborah James has revealed that the BBC Podcast host did not want to die in the days leading up to her death from bowel cancer on June 28. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2022 Fiber, which is prebiotic, helps stabilize blood sugar, promotes healthy bowel movements, stabilizes the liver, and feeds the microbiome. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Other symptoms include urinary incontinence, difficulty voiding, and problems with bowel movements, either constipation or incontinence. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2022 That could cause issues like hemorrhoids and a temporary dependence on laxatives for regular bowel movements. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 26 July 2022 The bowel damage required surgery and Newell died from surgical complications. Lucia Osborne-crowley, refinery29.com, 26 July 2022 Unlike Crohn’s disease -- another type of inflammatory bowel condition -- microscopic colitis does not have disease that’s visible with endoscopy. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 July 2022 Possible risks: Damage to the bowel, bladder or major blood vessels; bad reaction to anesthesia, wound infection, pelvic or abdominal pain and unwanted pregnancy if the procedure fails. Julie Washington, cleveland, 11 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French buel, boel, from Medieval Latin botellus, from Latin, diminutive of botulus sausage
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing bowel
Kids Definition
bowel
noun
bow·el ˈbau̇-əl
1
: intestine —usually used in pl.
2
: a part of the intestine
the large bowel
Medical Definition
bowel
noun
bow·el ˈbau̇(-ə)l
: intestine, gut
also : one of the divisions of the intestines —usually used in plural except in medical use
move your bowels
surgery of the involved bowel