WordGarden.ioalimentary
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /əlaɪmˈɛntəri/
US
- /ˌæləˈmɛntəri/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to the digestive tract
relating to nourishment or food
Beyond the definition
Think of "alimentary" as the formal, scientific cousin of the word "food." You will encounter it almost exclusively in phrases like alimentary canal (or alimentary tract)—the anatomical pathway food takes through your body. While it technically relates to anything nourishing, it is generally not used to describe a tasty dinner. Instead, it is a functional word used by doctors and scientists. You wouldn't usually say you had an "alimentary conversation" unless you were specifically discussing anatomy or the digestive process!
The word "alimentary" comes from the Latin word "alere," meaning "to nourish." While we don't often use it in everyday conversation, understanding "alimentary" unlocks specific vocabulary related to human biology.
Most commonly, you'll encounter "alimentary" when discussing the alimentary canal (or alimentary tract). This is the technical term for the gastrointestinal tract—the tube food travels through, from the mouth down through the stomach and intestines (and onward). Doctors use the word to describe parts or processes related to how our bodies take in and absorb nutrients. For example, a medical journal might discuss diseases of the alimentary tract.
Outside of biology, the word is quite rare. It occasionally appears in legal or very formal contexts referring to "maintenance" or support for basic needs (sustenance)—for example, obligations to provide food or the means to live—but it has largely been replaced by simpler terms like "nutritional" or "dietary" in common speech.
So, while it implies nourishment, remember: a salad is nutritious, but the system that digests it is alimentary.
Examples
- 1
Digestive anatomy
Food passes through the alimentary canal before the body absorbs nutrients.
- Phrasealimentary canal
the long passage in the body that food moves through
- 2
Medical scan
The scan showed a problem in the upper alimentary tract.
- 3
Veterinary medicine
In veterinary medicine, doctors often check the alimentary system for signs of infection.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- non-nutritive
- respiratory
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- alimentary canal
- alimentary tract
- alimentary system
Word family
- aliment
- alimentation
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- alimentaryadjective