peristalsis

noun

peri·​stal·​sis ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
-ˈstäl-,
-ˈstal- How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
plural peristalses ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-ˌsēz How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
-ˈstäl-,
-ˈstal-
: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (such as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward

Examples of peristalsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The pressure of my lower esophageal sphincter was fine; the wavelike motion of swallowing, called peristalsis, was normal. Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 These contractions are called peristalsis. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2014 These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Feb. 2023 In their back-and-forth manner, all technologies have been improving, even if the peristalsis of history is hard to follow. Peter Rubin, Longreads, 14 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for peristalsis 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peristalsis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek peristaltikos peristaltic

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peristalsis was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near peristalsis

Cite this Entry

“Peristalsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peristalsis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

peristalsis

noun
peri·​stal·​sis ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs How to pronounce peristalsis (audio) -ˈstäl- How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
-ˈstal-
plural peristalses -ˌsēz How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
: the contracting and expanding movements by which food and waste products of digestion are forced through parts (as the esophagus and intestine) of the digestive system
peristaltic
-tik
adjective

Medical Definition

peristalsis

noun
peri·​stal·​sis ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-səs How to pronounce peristalsis (audio) -ˈstäl- How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
-ˈstal-
plural peristalses -ˌsēz How to pronounce peristalsis (audio)
: successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward compare segmentation sense 2

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