excrete

verb

ex·​crete ik-ˈskrēt 

excreted; excreting

transitive verb

: to separate and eliminate or discharge (waste) from the blood, tissues, or organs or from the active protoplasm

excreter noun

Examples of excrete in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many ants feed on the sugary honeydew excreted by these insects and will actively protect them from predators. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026

The intense, carrion-like odor of the slime attracts insects, which then eat the slime and excrete it, with the spores later germinating in the excrement. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026

After ingestion, the drug is excreted and flows through inadequate wastewater treatment systems, with only 47% of Rio's wastewater effectively treated before discharge into coastal waters. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

The byproducts of this process—such as ammonia—must be filtered out and excreted by the kidneys. — Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin excretus, past participle of excernere to sift out, discharge, from ex- + cernere to sift — more at certain

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for excrete

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

excrete

verb

ex·​crete ik-ˈskrēt 

excreted; excreting

: to separate and remove (waste produced by cellular activity) from the living body

urea is excreted by the kidneys in urine

Medical Definition

excrete

transitive verb

ex·​crete ik-ˈskrēt 

excreted; excreting

: to separate and eliminate or discharge (waste) from the blood, tissues, or organs or from the active protoplasm