Biologic Function
rumination Audio
ru·mi·na·tion [ roo-min-ay-shun ]
Subclass of:
Digestion
Etymology:
Latin ruminare = to chew the cud
Definitions related to rumination:
  • A digestive process in which food, usually grass or hay, is swallowed into a multi-compartmented stomach, regurgitated, chewed again, and swallowed again.
    Gene Ontology Dictionary
    Gene Ontology Consortium, 2021
  • Constant preoccupation with thinking about a single idea or theme, as in OCD.
    Sadock's Comprehensive Glossary of Psychiatry and Psychology
    BJ Sadock Titles Press, 2012
  • (rumination, digestive) Regurgitation and re-chewing of previously swallowed food in RUMINANTS.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Rumination is the (usually involuntary) regurgitation of small amounts of food from the stomach (most often 15 to 30 minutes after eating) that are rechewed and, in most cases, again swallowed. Patients do not complain of nausea or abdominal pain.
    Merck Manuals
    Merck & Co., Inc., 2025
  • The term rumination is derived from the Latin word ruminare, which means to chew the cud. Rumination is characterized by the voluntary or involuntary regurgitation and rechewing of partially digested food that is either reswallowed or expelled.
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.