adjective / noun

digestive

dye-JES-tiv/daɪˈdʒestɪv/

Helping the body break down food.

The stomach and intestines perform digestive functions by breaking down food.

A clear anatomical stomach and intestinal tract emphasized within a translucent adult torso silhouette, digestive organs only in focus, no text.

Etymology

diLatinapart

+gestLatinto carry

+iveLatinpertaining to

“Carry apart” developed the sense “separate, divide,” an image underlying the breaking down of food. Digestive describes what relates to that bodily process.

In context

Advanced eClinical Training (ACT)1:43

the role of the digestive process is to break down these food compounds into particles that are absorbable

Gastrointestinal System - Anatomy & Physiology Review

More examples

The stomach plays an important role in the digestive system.
She asks her doctor whether a digestive might help.
Some digestive problems make it hard to absorb nutrients.

Forms

digestive · digestives

digest verb — Break down food so nutrients can be absorbed.

digestion noun — The process of breaking down food.

Similar words

gastrointestinal: Refers specifically to the stomach and intestines, not digestion itself.