What does regurgitation mean?
Regurgitation most commonly means the involuntary return of swallowed food or liquid into the mouth. It is often associated with gastrointestinal illness, reflux, or other medical conditions and differs from vomiting mainly in the degree of force involved. The word can also describe the repeated reproduction of information, ideas, or phrases already heard, usually with the implication that little originality is present. In technical and biological writing, it may refer more generally to the backward flow or recirculation of a substance. Its figurative uses are especially common in discussions of education, media, politics, and repetitive speech, where the term can convey criticism of unoriginal or excessively recycled content.
The act of bringing swallowed food, liquid, or other material back up, especially involuntarily.
"The physician asked about episodes of regurgitation after meals."
Often used in medical contexts; in ordinary use it may also mean vomiting, though vomiting usually implies more forceful expulsion.
The repeated reproduction of information, ideas, or expressions, especially without adding anything new.
"Critics dismissed the report as a regurgitation of earlier claims."
Figurative and often mildly or strongly critical in tone.
Plural forms are possible but uncommon in ordinary usage, especially in the medical sense.
"The recording documented several episodes of regurgitation rather than a single event."
From the Latin for “to flow back,” regurgitation can describe both a stomach returning food and a familiar idea returning to the mind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does regurgitation come from?
The word comes from Latin regurgitare, formed from re- (“back”) and gurgitare, a verb related to gurgle. It entered English in the late 16th century in the medical sense of bringing swallowed material back up. The figurative sense developed later, especially in the 19th century, for the repetition of ideas or information.
Related word forms
How regurgitation is actually used
In medical contexts, regurgitation generally emphasizes the return of material without the forceful expulsive action typical of vomiting. In figurative use, it often suggests repetition without fresh thought and can sound dismissive.
Easily confused with regurgitation
Regurgitation is the involuntary return of material from the stomach or mouth, whereas vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the stomach contents.