recta

UK: /ˈrɛktə/ US: (rek′tə)

From rectum (n):

rectums

npl

recta

npl

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rec•ta  (rek′tə), n. 

1. Anatomy a pl. of rectum. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

recta / ˈrɛktə/ noun

1. a plural of rectum

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

rec•tum /ˈrɛktəm/   n. [countable] , pl. -tums, -ta /-tə/.  

1. Anatomy the straight, final part of the large intestine, ending in the anus.

See -rect-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rec•tum  (rek′təm), n., pl. -tums, -ta (-tə). [Anat.]

1. Anatomy the comparatively straight, terminal section of the intestine, ending in the anus. See diag. under intestine. 

• Neo-Latin rēctum (intestīnum) the straight (intestine)
• 1535–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rectum / ˈrɛktəm/ noun ( -tums, -ta / -tə/)

1. the lower part of the alimentary canal, between the sigmoid flexure of the colon and the anus

Etymology: 16th Century: shortened from New Latin rectum intestinum the straight intestine