Meanings
- Synonym of nil per os (“nothing may be eaten or drunk”).
Patients suspected of having appendicitis should be kept nil by mouth, to prepare for surgery.
2022, Rachel Varughese, Anna Mathew, editor, Clinical Guide to Paediatrics, Wiley, →ISBN, page 2182 more examples
Synopsis of After-treatment in all Cases of Perforated Peptic Ulcer.—After recovery from the post-operative shock, raise gradually into high Fowler's position. 1st 24 Hours.—Nil by mouth. Saline with glucose continuously.
1936, Henry [Hamilton] Bailey, Emergency Surgery, John Wright, page 109With total paralysis, the following regime is needed; intravenous nutrition (nil by mouth), eye toilets and protection, attention to pressure areas.
1976, Carl Edmonds, Christopher Lowry, John Pennefather, Diving and Subaquatic Medicine, Diving Medical Centre, →ISBN, page 263Synonyms: nil per os, NBM
Synonyms & antonyms
phraseSynonym of nil per os (“nothing may be eaten or drunk”).
Cite this entry
nil by mouth. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nil%20by%20mouth
“nil by mouth.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nil%20by%20mouth. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nil by mouth,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nil%20by%20mouth.
Source: nil by mouth on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.