1. the intestines, especially the large intestine
Usage: medical; formal
2. the innermost or deepest parts of something
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The doctor examined the patient’s bowels for signs of disease.
• Regular exercise helps keep the bowels healthy.
• The miners descended into the bowels of the earth.
• Deep in the bowels of the old building, they found forgotten documents.
• The ship’s engine room was located in the bowels of the vessel.
• She felt a rumbling in her bowels after eating the spicy food.