What does digesting mean?
Digesting is the present participle and gerund of the verb "digest," describing the process by which food is broken down physically and chemically in the stomach and intestines so that nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Beyond biology, the word carries an important figurative meaning: people are said to be digesting news, reports, or ideas when they are gradually absorbing and coming to terms with them, often implying that understanding requires time and reflection. This dual usage makes the word versatile and vivid — one might spend the afternoon digesting a heavy lunch or a difficult piece of criticism. Derived from Latin via Old French, it belongs to a family including "digestion" and "digestive." Its figurative use lends writing a natural, embodied quality, turning abstract comprehension into something almost tangible and physical.
Present participle of digest: to break down food in the body for absorption of nutrients, or to mentally absorb and assimilate information.
"He spent the weekend digesting the dense legal documents before the hearing."
Commonly used figuratively in formal and journalistic contexts to describe slow comprehension.
As a gerund, the action or process of digesting food or information.
"Proper digesting of a large meal can take several hours."
Your brain digests ideas much like your stomach digests food — which is why we say we need time to 'digest' shocking news before it truly sinks in.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of digesting
The word traces back to Latin "digerere" (also "digere"), meaning "to divide, distribute, or dissolve," formed from "di-" (apart) and "gerere" (to carry or bear). It entered English via Old French "digeste" during the Middle English period, initially carrying medical senses related to the ripening of wounds and the processing of humors before settling firmly into its modern digestive and mental-assimilation meanings. Cognates include French "digérer" and Spanish "digerir."
Related word forms
How digesting is actually used
Used both literally (food) and metaphorically (information, events). The figurative sense is common in journalism and everyday speech, often implying that full comprehension takes time. As a gerund, it functions nominally: "Digesting takes hours."
Easily confused with digesting
"Digesting" is the ongoing action of breaking down food or ideas, while "digestive" is an adjective describing things related to digestion, as in "digestive system."