# esophagus

/ɪˈsɑfəɡəs/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/esophagus
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

the tube in your body that carries food and liquid from your mouth down to your stomach.

For teachers: the muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. Primarily used in medical or anatomical contexts; spelled 'oesophagus' in British English.

## Examples

- Food travels down the esophagus to reach the stomach.
- The doctor performed an endoscopy to check for any blockages or irritation in the patient's esophagus.
- The muscular walls of the esophagus contract in a rhythmic wave called peristalsis, ensuring that food moves downward even if the person is not standing upright.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the food goes to the esophagus" but "the food goes down the esophagus" — In English, we typically use the preposition 'down' to describe the movement of food through this organ.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in medical contexts; the spelling 'esophagus' is standard in American English.

---

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.