gastric juice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “gastric juice” mean?
The acidic digestive fluid secreted by the stomach lining, containing hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and mucus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The acidic digestive fluid secreted by the stomach lining, containing hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and mucus.
By extension, any digestive secretions produced in the stomach, or a term used to symbolically represent the internal process of digestion and breaking down food.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Pronunciation follows general BrE/AmE patterns for the constituent words.
Connotations
Neutral, clinical, and scientific in both varieties. No cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “gastric juice” in a Sentence
The stomach [verb: secretes/produces] gastric juice.Gastric juice [verb: aids/breaks down] digestion.[Noun: Enzyme/acid] in gastric juice.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gastric juice” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lining gastrically juices the food.
- [Note: 'gastric juice' is not a verb; no standard verbal forms exist.]
American English
- [Note: 'gastric juice' is not a verb; no standard verbal forms exist.]
adverb
British English
- [Note: No standard adverbial form derived from 'gastric juice'.]
American English
- [Note: No standard adverbial form derived from 'gastric juice'.]
adjective
British English
- The gastric-juice composition was abnormal.
- A gastric-juce analysis (hyphenated compound adjective).
American English
- The gastric juice sample was sent to the lab.
- A gastric-juice test (hyphenated compound adjective).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biology, medicine, and physiology textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Rarely used; 'stomach acid' is more common in lay conversation.
Technical
Standard term in medical diagnostics, gastroenterology, and pharmacological studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gastric juice”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gastric juice”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gastric juice”
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'a gastric juice').
- Confusing with 'bile' or 'pancreatic juice'.
- Misspelling as 'gastrick juice'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related but not identical. 'Stomach acid' refers specifically to the hydrochloric acid component, while 'gastric juice' is the broader fluid containing acid, enzymes, mucus, and other secretions.
Yes, a condition called hypochlorhydria, which can lead to poor digestion and nutrient deficiencies.
Yes, it is highly acidic due to hydrochloric acid, with a typical pH between 1.5 and 3.5.
A thick layer of mucus lining the stomach wall acts as a protective barrier against the corrosive effects of gastric juice.
The acidic digestive fluid secreted by the stomach lining, containing hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and mucus.
Gastric juice is usually technical / medical in register.
Gastric juice: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡæs.trɪk ˈdʒuːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡæs.trɪk ˈdʒuːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GAStronaut TRICky robot (GASTRIC) squeezing a JUICE box (JUICE) inside a stomach-shaped spaceship to digest space food.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STOMACH IS A CHEMICAL FACTORY (producing juice/fluid).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of gastric juice?