small intestine
noun
: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web After being born at 28 weeks, Everly was diagnosed with duodenal atresia, which blocks a portion of the small intestine. 
Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 20 July 2022 Sandy Honig, known for co-creating HBO Max's Three Busy Debras, revealed on social media that she was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a relatively uncommon disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 These important molecules are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and eventually are used by the body for energy, growth and cellular repair, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bayliss Wagner, USA TODAY, 24 June 2021 Digestive enzymes and acid in your stomach break down the food which is then passed through to the small intestine. Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 31 July 2022 Unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of health conditions that cause malnutrition (when your small intestine can’t absorb enough nutrients)—and this is especially true with celiac disease. Eleesha Lockett, SELF, 3 May 2022 In layman's speak, FODMAPs are types of sugars, and your small intestine can have a hard time digesting them. Isadora Baum, Men's Health, 13 June 2022 The case before the court involved Barry Lee Jones, who was convicted in the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, who died after a beating ruptured her small intestine. Jessica Gresko, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 2022 Next comes the small intestine, which further digests your food, and helps absorb nutrients and vitamins into your bloodstream. Kathryn Watson, SELF, 24 Mar. 2022 See More
Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 20 July 2022 Sandy Honig, known for co-creating HBO Max's Three Busy Debras, revealed on social media that she was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a relatively uncommon disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 These important molecules are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and eventually are used by the body for energy, growth and cellular repair, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bayliss Wagner, USA TODAY, 24 June 2021 Digestive enzymes and acid in your stomach break down the food which is then passed through to the small intestine. Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 31 July 2022 Unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of health conditions that cause malnutrition (when your small intestine can’t absorb enough nutrients)—and this is especially true with celiac disease. Eleesha Lockett, SELF, 3 May 2022 In layman's speak, FODMAPs are types of sugars, and your small intestine can have a hard time digesting them. Isadora Baum, Men's Health, 13 June 2022 The case before the court involved Barry Lee Jones, who was convicted in the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter, who died after a beating ruptured her small intestine. Jessica Gresko, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 2022 Next comes the small intestine, which further digests your food, and helps absorb nutrients and vitamins into your bloodstream. Kathryn Watson, SELF, 24 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1767, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
small intestine
noun
: the long narrow upper part of the intestine in which food is mostly digested and from which digested food is absorbed into the body
Medical Definition
small intestine
noun
: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients
called also small bowel