alimentary canal

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a tubular passage functioning in the digestion and absorption of food and the elimination of food residue, beginning at the mouth and terminating at the anus.

alimentary canal

noun

1. the tubular passage extending from the mouth to the anus, through which food is passed and digested

alimentary canal

/ ăl′ə-mĕn′tə-rē /

1. The tube or passage of the digestive system through which food passes, nutrients are absorbed, and waste is eliminated.
2. See also digestive tract

Word History and Origins

Origin of alimentary canal¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

The webbed contraption looks something like an unraveled alimentary canal — esophagus, stomach and intestines.

From Los Angeles Times

We know this because her name is Irritabelle, her bodysuit is illustrated with a digestive tract, and she offers up what amounts to a travelogue of the alimentary canal.

From New York Times

My alimentary canal got a lot of traffic this week.

From Washington Post

Sigmund Freud had plenty to say about people who play with the products of their alimentary canal.

From Washington Post

The painter is giving us the high and low of Paris, the in and out, and both ends of an enormous, urban alimentary canal.

From Washington Post