# digestion

/daɪˈdʒɛstʃən/ (US) · /daɪdʒˈɛstʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/digestion
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. breaking down food

noun · CEFR B2

the way your body breaks down food into small pieces so it can use the energy.

For teachers: the physiological process in the gastrointestinal tract by which food is converted into absorbable substances.

- Eating slowly can help improve your digestion and prevent stomach pain.
- The patient complained of chronic indigestion, suggesting that the natural enzymes required for efficient digestion were not being produced in sufficient quantities.

### 2. understanding ideas

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the process of thinking about new information until you fully understand it.

For teachers: the mental assimilation and processing of ideas or information.

- Some books require slow reading and careful digestion to understand the main point.
- After the intense three-day seminar, the executives needed time for the digestion of the complex new strategies before they could implement them.

### 3. organic decay

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process where tiny living things break down waste or natural materials.

For teachers: the decomposition of organic matter, often assisted by microorganisms in a controlled environment.

- The plant uses anaerobic digestion to turn food waste into green energy.
- Anaerobic digestion in the treatment facility converts sewage sludge into biogas, providing a sustainable method for managing municipal waste.

### 4. chemical dissolving

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

dissolving a solid sample into a liquid using heat and strong chemicals.

For teachers: the process of dissolving a sample into a solution using acid and heat for chemical analysis.

- The scientist performed an acid digestion to test the soil for heavy metals.
- Complete digestion of the mineral sample was achieved by heating it in concentrated nitric acid for several hours within a sealed vessel.

## Examples

- Drinking water during a meal can help with your digestion.
- Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet because it aids digestion and prevents various stomach issues.
- The human body employs both mechanical and chemical means to facilitate digestion, using specialized acids and enzymes to extract vital nutrients from complex organic matter.

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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.