constipation

[ kon-stuh-pey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a condition of the bowels in which the feces are dry and hardened and evacuation is difficult and infrequent.
2. Informal. a state of slowing down, sluggishness, or inactivity.
3. Obsolete. the act of crowding anything into a smaller compass; condensation.

constipation

/ ˌkɒnstɪˈpeɪʃən /

noun

1. infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels, with hard faeces, caused by functional or organic disorders or improper diet

Word History and Origins

Origin of constipation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English constipacioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin constīpātiōn-, stem of constīpātiō; equivalent to constipate + -ion

Example Sentences

Bhatia sees microdosing as an option for clients who come to her office with the goal of losing 20 pounds or less or patients who have proved to be sensitive to the side effects of GLP-1, which include nausea, constipation, lack of energy and diarrhea.

From Los Angeles Times

It affects nearly one in three women by age 60 and can be caused by things like repeated heavy straining and chronic constipation.

From Salon

"The most common thing that we're seeing is anything related to the gut. So diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, people not being able to eat, getting very dehydrated as a result of that."

From BBC

The most common side-effects include feeling sick, vomiting, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.

From BBC

The most common side-effects are feeling sick, vomiting, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.

From BBC

Related Words

• ache
• contraction
• convulsion
• pain
• stiffness
• twinge