peristaltic

adjective

peri·​stal·​tic ˌper-ə-ˈstȯl-tik 

-ˈstäl-, 

-ˈstal-

1

: of, relating to, resulting from, or being peristalsis

2

: having an action suggestive of peristalsis

Examples of peristaltic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like a monstrous earthworm or a section of large intestine, the pink end of the tube seems to undulate in waves of peristaltic movement, pushing its invisible contents from end to end. — Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Case’s peristaltic robot lays the conduit while traveling, reducing the overall installation time. — IEEE Spectrum, 10 Mar. 2025

Many have suckers at the front end, to attach to the bowel of the host; some have hooks that can be engaged or released depending on whether the worm needs to move with or against the peristaltic flow of the intestine itself. — Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2022

So its possible to create an artificial peristaltic contraction wave that travels in one direction along the length of the soft robotic organ. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2021

Ingber and his colleagues are working on analogous models of other organs, too, including a beating heart and a gut capable of a peristaltic wave. — Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010

Word History

Etymology

Greek peristaltikos, from peristellein to wrap around, from peri- + stellein to place

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing peristaltic

• peristaltic pump

Rhymes for peristaltic

• asphaltic
• basaltic
• baltic

Medical Definition

peristaltic

adjective

peri·​stal·​tic -tik 

: of, relating to, resulting from, or being peristalsis

peristaltic contractions