secretory

adjective

se·​cre·​to·​ry ˈsē-krə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce secretory (audio)
 especially British  si-ˈkrē-t(ə-)rē
: of, relating to, or promoting secretion
also : produced by secretion

Examples of secretory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the vaccines don’t induce secretory IgA because the cells that make secretory IgA are really lining the mucosa. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023 Numerous studies have shown the vaginal mucosa to be secretory. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2011

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'secretory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secretory was in 1692

Dictionary Entries Near secretory

Cite this Entry

“Secretory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

secretory

adjective
se·​cre·​to·​ry
ˈsē-krə-ˌtȯr-ē, especially British si-ˈkrēt-(ə-)rē
: of, relating to, or promoting secretion
also : produced by secretion
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