defecation

noun

def·​e·​ca·​tion ˌde-fi-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the discharge of solid waste from the anus : the act or process of defecating

To meet the clinical definition of IBS [irritable bowel syndrome], you must have had 12 weeks … of abdominal pain or discomfort within the past year, associated with relief with defecation and a change in the form or frequency of stool.

—Food and Fitness Advisor

2

: feces, excrement

At first it was believable because, as Gov. Mario Cuomo said at the outset, "She's covered with defecation, her hair is shorn … "

—Ellen Goodman

William Allen Livingston lost several ounces of urine and defecation when the fusillade of .38 caliber and .00 buckshot devastated him …

—Joseph Wambaugh

Examples of defecation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This technique has since been used to study neural circuits involved in everything from defecation to learning. — Simon Makin, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Wurman said neighbors have documented numerous instances of unsanitary behavior, including public urination and defecation. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The Star previously reported on neighbor concerns over defecation, urination, break-ins and harassment near the site of a religious charity food program. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

One colorful customer spouts a fabulously ripe monologue about how the aliens nearly caught him mid-defecation—a close encounter of the turd kind. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for defecation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

defecation

noun

def·​e·​ca·​tion

variants or chiefly British defaecation

ˌdef-i-ˈkā-shən 

: discharge of feces