rectal

adjective

rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal walls
rectal cancer
rectally adverb

Examples of rectal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This points to a growing public health concern for younger Americans, a population also experiencing similar increases in colorectal cancer diagnoses, added Kim and colleague Aimal Khan, a colon and rectal surgery professor at Vanderbilt. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 Hudson was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2011 after being successfully treated for prostate cancer back in 1998. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 Hemorrhoid diagnosis typically begins with a visual and digital rectal exam, says Orlando. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 But in 2020, John was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Colleen Murphy, Health, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rectal

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectal was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Rectal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

rectal

adjective
rec·​tal ˈrek-tᵊl How to pronounce rectal (audio)
: relating to, affecting, or being near the rectum
rectal bleeding
rectally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on rectal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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