constipation

UK: /ˌkɒnstɪˈpeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌkɑnstəˈpeɪʃən/ ,(kon′stə pā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•sti•pa•tion /ˌkɑnstəˈpeɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. Pathology a condition of the bowels in which the feces are hardened and defecation is difficult.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•sti•pa•tion  (kon′stə pā′shən), n. 

1. Pathology a condition of the bowels in which the feces are dry and hardened and evacuation is difficult and infrequent.
2. Informal Terms a state of slowing down, sluggishness, or inactivity.
3. [Obs.] the act of crowding anything into a smaller compass;
   condensation.

• Late Latin constīpātiōn- (stem of constīpātiō). See constipate, -ion
• Middle French)
• late Middle English constipacioun (1375–1425

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

constipation / ˌkɒnstɪˈpeɪʃən/ noun

1. infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels, with hard faeces, caused by functional or organic disorders or improper diet