abdominal

adjective

ab·​dom·​i·​nal ab-ˈdä-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce abdominal (audio)
əb-, 
-ˈdäm-nᵊl
: of, relating to, or involving the abdomen
abdominal pain/cramps/bloating
an abdominal scar
abdominal sternites
see also abdominal cavity
abdominally
ab-ˈdä-mə-nᵊl-ē How to pronounce abdominal (audio)
əb-, 
-ˈdäm-nᵊl-ē
adverb
abdominally obese
surgical instruments inserted abdominally

Examples of abdominal 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.
The researchers found that about 1 in 4 had problems related to gas, whether that meant bloating, excessive gas or abdominal pain. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Dull abdominal pain or painless jaundice occur, but by then nearly half of the patients have stage 4 disease. — Bryan C. Donohue, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2026 The ancient creature’s paddle-like abdominal limbs provide direct fossil evidence that insects conquered land through a prolonged semi-aquatic phase rather than an abrupt transition. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 These conditions produce identical symptoms as UTIs — burning with urination, urgency, frequency, and/or lower abdominal pain — but require different treatment. — Meghan Rabbitt, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abdominal

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abdominal was in 1650

Phrases Containing abdominal

Rhymes for abdominal

See All Rhymes for abdominal

Browse Nearby Words

abdomen
abdominal
abdominal cavity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abdominal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abdominal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

abdominal

1 of 2 adjective
ab·​dom·​i·​nal ab-ˈdäm-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce abdominal (audio)
1
: of, belonging to, or affecting the abdomen
abdominal organs
abdominal pain
abdominal surgery
2
: performed by entry through the abdominal wall
an abdominal hysterectomy
abdominally
-ē How to pronounce abdominal (audio)
adverb

abdominal

2 of 2 noun
: an abdominal muscle (as an oblique or a rectus abdominis) especially of the anterolateral region
—usually used in plural
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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