digest

American  

[dih-jest, dahy-, dahy-jest] / dɪˈdʒɛst, daɪ-, ˈdaɪ dʒɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to convert (food) in the alimentary canal into absorbable form for assimilation into the system.

2. to promote the digestion of (food).

3. to obtain information, ideas, or principles from; assimilate mentally.

   to digest a pamphlet on nuclear waste.

4. to arrange methodically in the mind; think over.

   to digest a plan.

   Synonyms:

   ponder, study, understand

5. to bear with patience; endure.

6. to arrange in convenient or methodical order; reduce to a system; classify.

   Synonyms:

   codify, systematize

7. to condense, abridge, or summarize.

8. Chemistry. to soften or disintegrate (a substance) by means of moisture, heat, chemical action, or the like.

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verb (used without object)

1. to digest food.

2. to undergo digestion, as food.

noun

1. a collection or compendium, usually of literary, historical, legal, or scientific matter, especially when classified or condensed.

   Synonyms:

   abridgment, epitome

2. Law.

   1. a systematic abstract of some body of law.

   2. the Digest, a collection in fifty books of excerpts, especially from the writings of the Classical Roman jurists, compiled by order of Justinian in the 6th century a.d.; the Pandects.

3. Biochemistry. the product of the action of an enzyme on food or other organic material.

digest ¹ British  

verb

1. to subject (food) to a process of digestion

2. (tr) to assimilate mentally

3. chem to soften or disintegrate or be softened or disintegrated by the action of heat, moisture, or chemicals; decompose

4. (tr) to arrange in a methodical or systematic order; classify

5. (tr) to reduce to a summary

6. archaic (tr) to tolerate

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noun

1. a comprehensive and systematic compilation of information or material, often condensed

2. a magazine, periodical, etc, that summarizes news of current events

3. a compilation of rules of law based on decided cases

Digest ² British  

/ ˈdaɪdʒɛst /

noun

1. Roman law an arrangement of excerpts from the writings and opinions of eminent lawyers, contained in 50 books compiled by order of Justinian in the sixth century _ad

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Usage

What does inventory mean? An inventory is a complete list of all merchandise or stock of items owned by or available from a business. At a store, an inventory is the complete list of all items for sale at the store. At a manufacturer, an inventory is a complete list of all the raw materials they have, as well as finished items and items being created. An inventory is also the specific set of products to sell, as in The store’s inventory of superhero capes is running low and will probably sell out soon. An inventory can also refer to figurative belongings, such as a person’s personality traits and skills. To inventory means to add things to an inventory list, whether a literal or figurative list, as in I inventoried my options for colleges and chose the school I’ll attend next year. Example: Can you take inventory tonight so we can be ready for the rush tomorrow?

Related Words

See summary.

Other Word Forms

• digestedly adverb
• digestedness noun
• half-digested adjective
• nondigesting adjective
• overdigest verb
• redigest verb (used with object)
• semidigested adjective
• undigested adjective
• undigesting adjective
• well-digested adjective

Etymology

Origin of digest

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English digesten, from Latin dīgestus “separated, dissolved” (past participle of dīgerere ), equivalent to dī- di- ² + ges- “carry, bear” (base of gerere ) + -tus past participle suffix; (noun) Middle English: “collection of laws,” from Late Latin dīgesta (plural), Latin: “collection of writings,” neuter plural of dīgestus, as above

Explanation

When your stomach breaks down food, it digests it. To digest is to process food so it can be absorbed into the body or information so the mind can absorb it. If you tell your mother some bad news, like say, that you failed your math test after studying so hard, she might say, "Let me take a moment to digest that information." She's not going to swallow the paper and let her stomach do the work. Instead, she's going to take a moment to sit with the news and understand it. As a noun, a digest is a magazine that breaks down information into understandable summaries.

Example Sentences

Elena has told her friends and family she wants them to share their pregnancy announcements with her via text, so that it's "easier to digest and you can respond when you're ready".

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Inside the fossil, scientists also found dozens of gastroliths, small stones that the dinosaur swallowed to help digest food.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

These products, because they are so easy to chew and digest quickly, hit the brain rapidly and can have a strong effect on its reward system, which is involved in pleasure, motivation and learning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Not only dreams but broken dreams — the compost that can happen when you digest broken dreams.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

He holds up a handful of Creon tablets, which will help our bodies digest the food we’re about to eat.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott