# bowel movement

CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bowel-movement
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

the process of passing solid waste out of your body. Doctors use this term as a polite way to talk about going to the toilet.

For teachers: an act of defecation; the evacuation of faeces from the intestinal tract. Frequently used in medical or formal contexts as a euphemism for the basic physiological process.

## Examples

- The doctor asked if he had a regular bowel movement every day.
- After the surgery, the nursing staff monitored the patient closely until they confirmed a normal bowel movement had occurred.
- Chronic changes in the frequency or consistency of a bowel movement can serve as early clinical indicators of gastrointestinal distress or underlying systemic issues.

## Usage notes

- Commonly abbreviated to 'BM' in clinical notes and medical records.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.