ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stomach

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈstəmək// UK //stˈʌmək// stom·ach Archaic General-service Informal

n. the part of your body where food goes after you eat it. You might say your stomach hurts if you feel sick or hungry.

n. the internal organ in which the major part of the digestion of food occurs. Often used metonymically to refer to the abdomen or the general abdominal region.


SIMPLE

He ate too much cake and now his stomach hurts.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor pressed gently on her stomach to check for any signs of pain or swelling.

COMPLEX

The digestive process begins in the mouth, but the stomach performs the critical task of breaking down proteins using highly acidic gastric juices before passing the contents to the small intestine.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English stomak, from Old French estomac, from Latin stomachus, from Ancient Greek στόμαχος (stómakhos), from στόμα (stóma, “mouth”). Partially displaced native Old English maga, whence Modern English maw.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'on an empty stomach' to describe taking medication or exercising before eating.

Idioms3 entries

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