Bowel vs. Bowl — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 23, 2024
Bowel refers to the parts of the digestive tract, particularly the intestines, while a bowl is a round, open-top container used in kitchens.
Difference Between Bowel and Bowl
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "bowel" specifically denotes parts of the digestive system, including the intestines which are crucial for digestion and absorption of food. On the other hand, a "bowl" is commonly understood as a household item used to hold or serve food, and has no biological function.
Bowels are internal organs comprised of the small and large intestines, playing vital roles in processing waste and nutrients. Whereas, bowls are typically made of materials such as ceramic, glass, or plastic and are part of dining and cooking ware.
The health of one's bowels is a critical aspect of medical and personal health, emphasizing the need for regular check-ups and a healthy diet. In contrast, the quality and variety of bowls can affect food presentation and preparation but are not linked to personal health in the same direct way.
Disorders of the bowels, such as irritable bowel syndrome or bowel cancer, are serious health issues requiring medical attention. Meanwhile, issues with bowls usually relate to breakage or wear and are resolved by replacement or repair.
Bowel movements are a natural and necessary bodily function to eliminate waste, highlighting the bowels' role in homeostasis and health. Bowls, however, are involved in the intake process, used for eating meals which directly contrasts with the elimination role of the bowels.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Part of the digestive system
A container used for holding food
Material
Organic tissues (intestinal)
Ceramic, glass, metal, plastic
Function
Digestion and waste elimination
Serving and eating food
Health relevance
Direct (digestive health)
Indirect (food safety, hygiene)
Associated terms
Intestines, IBS, colon
Soup bowl, mixing bowl, salad bowl
Compare with Definitions
Bowel
The bowel is a part of the digestive system that includes the small and large intestines.
Doctors recommend high fiber diets to maintain healthy bowel function.
Bowl
A bowl is a round, deep dish or basin, typically used for preparing, serving, or eating food.
She served the salad in a large glass bowl.
Bowel
Bowel refers to the deeper interior parts of the intestines where the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients occur.
Bowel health is crucial for overall wellness, as it affects nutrient absorption and waste elimination.
Bowl
Some bowls are decorative and used for aesthetic purposes beyond just serving food, like centerpieces.
The centerpiece of the dining table was a bowl filled with fresh fruit.
Bowel
In medical terms, bowel movements pertain to the act of excreting waste from the large intestine through the rectum.
Regular bowel movements are often considered indicators of good digestive health.
Bowl
Bowls can be made of various materials such as ceramic, glass, metal, or plastic, each suited for different uses.
He prefers using a stainless steel bowl for marinating meat due to its durability.
Bowel
The term bowel is also used in various health contexts, referring to conditions or diseases affecting the intestines.
Bowel obstructions require immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications.
Bowl
In many cultures, bowls are specifically used for foods like soups, cereals, and pastas due to their shape.
The miso soup came steaming hot in a traditional ceramic bowl.
Bowel
Bowel can imply the entire gastrointestinal tract in some broader medical discussions.
Probiotics are believed to support a healthy bowel by balancing intestinal flora.
Bowl
The concept of a bowl extends to various applications, such as in sports, where it denotes a type of stadium or a game.
The annual Super Bowl attracts millions of viewers worldwide.
Bowel
Often bowels The intestine.
Bowl
A bowl is a round dish or container typically used to prepare and serve food. The interior of a bowl is characteristically shaped like a spherical cap, with the edges and the bottom forming a seamless curve.
Bowel
A part or division of the intestine
The large bowel.
Bowl
A round, deep dish or basin used for food or liquid
A mixing bowl
A sugar bowl
Bowel
Bowels The interior of something
In the bowels of the ship.
Bowl
A natural basin.
Bowel
Bowels(Archaic) The seat of pity or the gentler emotions.
Bowl
A stadium for sporting or musical events
The Hollywood Bowl
Bowel
A part or division of the intestines, usually the large intestine.
Bowl
A wooden or hard rubber ball, slightly asymmetrical so that it runs on a curved course, used in the game of bowls.
Bowel
(in the plural) The entrails or intestines; the internal organs of the stomach.
Bowl
A spell or turn of bowling in cricket.
Bowel
The (deep) interior of something.
The treasures were stored in the bowels of the ship.
Bowl
Roll (a ball or other round object) along the ground
She snatched her hat off and bowled it ahead of her
Bowel
The seat of pity or the gentler emotions; pity or mercy.
Bowl
(of a bowler) propel (the ball) with a straight arm towards the batsman, typically in such a way that the ball bounces once
Sobers bowled to Willis
Lillee bowled another bouncer
Bowel
Offspring
Bowl
Move rapidly and smoothly in a specified direction
They bowled along the country roads
Bowel
To disembowel.
Bowl
A hemispherical vessel, wider than it is deep, used for holding food or fluids.
Bowel
One of the intestines of an animal; an entrail, especially of man; a gut; - generally used in the plural.
He burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Bowl
The contents of such a vessel.
Bowel
Hence, figuratively: The interior part of anything; as, the bowels of the earth.
His soldiers . . . cried out amain,And rushed into the bowels of the battle.
Bowl
A drinking goblet.
Bowel
The seat of pity or kindness. Hence: Tenderness; compassion.
Bloody Bonner, that corpulent tyrant, full (as one said) of guts, and empty of bowels.
Bowl
A bowl-shaped part, as of a spoon or pipe.
Bowel
Offspring.
Bowl
A bowl-shaped topographic depression.
Bowel
To take out the bowels of; to eviscerate; to disembowel.
Bowl
A bowl-shaped stadium or outdoor theater.
Bowel
The part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
Bowl
(Football) Any of various postseason games played between specially selected teams, especially at the college level.
Bowl
A ball, traditionally made of wood, that is weighted or slightly flattened so as to roll with a bias, used in lawn bowling.
Bowl
A roll or throw of a ball in lawn bowling and other bowling games.
Bowl
Bowls(used with a sing. verb) See lawn bowling.
Bowl
A revolving cylinder or drum in a machine.
Bowl
To participate in a game of bowling
I bowl every Thursday night in a league.
Bowl
To throw or roll a ball in a game of bowling
It's your turn to bowl.
Bowl
To hurl a cricket ball from one end of the pitch toward the batsman at the other, keeping the arm straight throughout the delivery.
Bowl
To move quickly and smoothly, especially by rolling
The sportscar bowled along through the countryside.
Bowl
To throw or roll (a ball).
Bowl
To make (a specified score) in bowling
Placed first by bowling 237.
Bowled a strike in the first frame.
Bowl
To perform (a specified amount, as a string or game) in bowling
She bowled eight frames before deciding to use a different ball.
Bowl
To move quickly and smoothly by or as if by rolling
Bowled a tire from the garage.
Bowl
To meet or strike with or as if with the force of a rapidly rolling object
The swimmer was bowled over by the wave.
Bowl
A roughly hemispherical container used to hold, mix or present food, such as salad, fruit or soup, or other items.
Bowl
As much as is held by a bowl.
You can’t have any more soup – you’ve had three bowls already.
Bowl
(cooking) A dish comprising a mix of different foods, not all of which need be cooked, served in a bowl.
This restaurant offers a number of different bowls.
Poke bowl
Bowl
A haircut in which straight hair is cut at an even height around the edges, forming a bowl shape.
Bowl
The round hollow part of anything.
Direct the cleaning fluid around the toilet bowl and under the rim.
Bowl
The part of a spoon that holds content, as opposed to the handle.
Bowl
A part of a pipe or bong packed with marijuana for smoking
Let's smoke a bowl!
Bowl
(typography) A rounded portion of a glyph that encloses empty space, as in the letters d and o.
Bowl
(landforms) A round crater (or similar) in the ground.
Bowl
An elliptical-shaped stadium or amphitheater resembling a bowl.
Bowl
(American football) A postseason football competition, a bowl game (i.e. Rose Bowl, Super Bowl)
Bowl
The ball rolled by players in the game of lawn bowls.
Bowl
The action of bowling a ball.
Bowl
The game of bowls.
Bowl
(transitive) To roll or throw (a ball) in the correct manner in cricket and similar games and sports.
Bowl
(intransitive) To throw the ball (in cricket and similar games and sports).
Bowl
(intransitive) To play bowling or a similar game.
Bowl
To roll or carry smoothly on, or as on, wheels.
We were bowled rapidly along the road.
Bowl
To pelt or strike with anything rolled.
Bowl
A concave vessel of various forms (often approximately hemispherical), to hold liquids, etc.
Brought them food in bowls of basswood.
Bowl
Specifically, a drinking vessel for wine or other spirituous liquors; hence, convivial drinking.
Bowl
The contents of a full bowl; what a bowl will hold.
Bowl
The hollow part of a thing; as, the bowl of a spoon.
Bowl
A ball of wood or other material used for rolling on a level surface in play; a ball of hard wood having one side heavier than the other, so as to give it a bias when rolled.
Bowl
An ancient game, popular in Great Britain, played with biased balls on a level plat of greensward.
Like an uninstructed bowler, . . . who thinks to attain the jack by delivering his bowl straightforward upon it.
Bowl
The game of tenpins or bowling.
Bowl
To roll, as a bowl or cricket ball.
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven.
Bowl
To roll or carry smoothly on, or as on, wheels; as, we were bowled rapidly along the road.
Bowl
To pelt or strike with anything rolled.
Alas, I had rather be set quick i' the earth,And bowled to death with turnips
Bowl
To play with bowls.
Bowl
To roll a ball on a plane, as at cricket, bowls, etc.
Bowl
To move rapidly, smoothly, and like a ball; as, the carriage bowled along.
Bowl
A round vessel that is open at the top; used for holding fruit or liquids or for serving food
Bowl
A concave shape with an open top
Bowl
A dish that is round and open at the top for serving foods
Bowl
The quantity contained in a bowl
Bowl
A large structure for open-air sports or entertainments
Bowl
A wooden ball (with flattened sides) used in the game of bowls
Bowl
A small round container that is open at the top for holding tobacco
Bowl
Roll (a ball)
Bowl
Engage in the sport of bowling;
My parents like to bowl on Friday nights
Common Curiosities
What materials are bowls typically made from?
Bowls are usually made from materials like ceramic, glass, metal, or plastic.
What is the primary function of the bowel?
The primary function of the bowel is to digest food and eliminate waste.
Are there specific bowls preferred for certain foods?
Yes, for example, soup bowls are deep to hold liquids, while salad bowls are broader and shallower.
How should bowls be cared for?
Most bowls should be cleaned after use and handled carefully to avoid breakage.
Can bowel disorders be serious?
Yes, disorders like bowel cancer or irritable bowel syndrome can be serious and require medical attention.
What is a bowel obstruction?
A bowel obstruction is a blockage that prevents food or liquid from passing through the intestines.
How can one maintain good bowel health?
Maintaining a diet high in fiber, staying hydrated, and regular exercise can help keep bowels healthy.
What is the best way to clean a bowl?
Most bowls can be cleaned with soap and water; some may also be dishwasher safe.
What types of bowls are commonly used in kitchens?
Common types include soup bowls, mixing bowls, and salad bowls.
Can changes in bowel habits indicate health issues?
Yes, changes like frequent diarrhea or constipation could indicate health problems and should be discussed with a doctor.
What are common symptoms of a bowel disorder?
Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.
How often should bowel health be checked?
Regular check-ups are recommended, especially for individuals over the age of 50 or those with family histories of bowel disease.
Can bowls be used for cooking?
Some bowls, especially those made of metal or heat-resistant glass, can be used for cooking.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
