# stomach

/ˈstəmək/ (US) · /stˈʌmək/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stomach
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the organ

noun · CEFR A2

the organ in your body where food is broken down after you swallow it.

For teachers: the internal organ in which the major part of the digestion of food occurs.

- He felt a sharp pain in his stomach after eating the spicy meal.
- The lining of the stomach produces powerful acids and enzymes that are essential for breaking down complex proteins during digestion.

### 2. the belly area

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal

the front part of your body below the chest.

For teachers: the abdominal region of the body; often used informally to refer to the external belly.

- The athlete did exercises to strengthen his stomach muscles.
- She lay on her stomach on the beach, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun on her back.

### 3. desire or courage

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the desire or courage to do something difficult or unpleasant.

For teachers: the appetite, inclination, or courage required to perform a task or face a situation.

- I didn't have the stomach to watch the scary movie until the end.
- Few politicians had the stomach for the long, difficult reforms required to fix the national economy.

### 4. to tolerate

verb · CEFR B2

to be able to accept or deal with something very unpleasant.

For teachers: to tolerate or endure something; frequently used in the negative to indicate physical or moral revulsion.

- I can't stomach the way he treats his employees.
- The public could not stomach the graphic details of the crime, leading to widespread calls for the trial to be held behind closed doors.

Usage: Usually used in negative sentences or questions with 'can' or 'could'.

## Examples

- He ate too much cake and now his stomach hurts.
- The doctor pressed gently on her stomach to check for any signs of pain or swelling.
- 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.

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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.