rumen

/ˈruːmɛn/

Definitions

1. noun

The first chamber of the stomach of a ruminant, where food is first digested by microbes.

“The cow’s rumen was full of undigested plant material after the meal.”

2. verb

To digest (food) in the rumen, especially as the first stage of digestion in ruminant animals.

“The grass will rumen overnight before being digested further in the cow’s small intestine.”

Synonyms

  • gastric
  • intestine

Antonyms

  • large intestine
  • small intestine