stomach

[ stuhm-uhk ]

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.
   1. a saclike enlargement of the alimentary canal, as in humans and certain animals, forming an organ for storing, diluting, and digesting food.
   2. such an organ or an analogous portion of the alimentary canal when divided into two or more sections or parts.
   3. any one of these sections.
2. Zoology. any analogous digestive cavity or tract in invertebrates.
3. the part of the body containing the stomach; belly or abdomen.
4. appetite for food.
5. desire, inclination, or liking:

   I have no stomach for this trip.

6. Obsolete.
   1. spirit; courage.
   2. pride; haughtiness.
   3. resentment; anger.

verb (used with object)

1. to endure or tolerate (someone or something):

   I can't stomach your constant nagging.

   Synonyms: countenance, abide, stand, bear

2. Obsolete. to be offended at or resent.

stomach

/ ˈstʌmək /

noun

1. (in vertebrates) the enlarged muscular saclike part of the alimentary canal in which food is stored until it has been partially digested and rendered into chyme gastric
2. the corresponding digestive organ in invertebrates
3. the abdominal region
4. desire, appetite, or inclination

   I have no stomach for arguments

5. an archaic word for temper
6. an obsolete word for pride

verb

1. to tolerate; bear

   I can't stomach his bragging

2. to eat or digest

   he cannot stomach oysters

Word History and Origins

Origin of stomach¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English stomak, from Latin stomachus “gullet, stomach,” from Greek stómachos originally, “opening”; akin to stoma

Word History and Origins

Origin of stomach¹

C14: from Old French stomaque, from Latin stomachus (believed to be the seat of the emotions), from Greek stomakhos, from stoma mouth

Idioms and Phrases

see butterflies in one's stomach ; can't stand (stomach) the sight of ; eyes are bigger than one's stomach ; no stomach for ; sick to one's stomach ; turn one's stomach .

Example Sentences

It was shortly after what would turn out to be Dio’s final tour with Heaven & Hell in 2009 that the singer was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Chamberlain has gone as far as to having the numbers 376 tattooed across his stomach.

From BBC

After his team was bullied by New Mexico, Cronin said he was sick to his stomach and couldn’t sleep for two days.

From Los Angeles Times

It shows a corpse whose head and arms have been severed, and the stomach cut open.

From BBC

There wasn’t even a convention fight because other Democratic wannabes didn’t have the stomach to contest her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abdomen
• belly
• gut
• tummy