# enema

/ˈɛnəmə/ (US) · /ˈɛnəmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/enema
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a liquid that is put into your body through the bottom to clean it out. It is often used to help with constipation or before a medical test.

For teachers: the introduction of a liquid into the rectum for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Often used to cleanse the bowel or to administer medication.

## Examples

- The doctor recommended an enema to help with the patient's constipation.
- Before the colonoscopy, the patient was instructed to perform an enema to ensure the bowel was completely empty.
- While modern medicine often prefers oral laxatives, an enema remains a standard procedure for rapid bowel cleansing when a patient cannot tolerate oral intake.

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