fecal

adjective

fe·​cal ˈfē-kəl How to pronounce fecal (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting feces

Examples of fecal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Transferring fecal bacteria and other microbes from a healthy individual to a someone who is ill can help restore the balance of bacteria in the intestines. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024 The wildlife department said its own biologists conducted further helicopter searches and surveys on the ground to collect hair, fecal and urine samples believed to belong to the mysterious creatures. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 May 2024 So systems biologists like me often sequence all the DNA present in a sample – for example, a fecal sample from a patient – separate out the viral DNA sequences, then annotate the sections of the viral genome that code for proteins. Libusha Kelly, The Conversation, 15 May 2024 In most parts of the world, people get a fecal occult blood test or other non-endoscopic test for colorectal cancer. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 14 May 2024 Most often, people contract neurocysticercosis not directly from eating pork, but through exposure to fecal contamination, says Scott Gardner, curator of the Manter Laboratory of Parasitology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 8 May 2024 Oily stools, intestinal gas with oily and fecal discharge, and diarrhea of a surprising urgency are all distinct possibilities. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024 When these tissues are stretched and weakened, urinary and fecal incontinence can result. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2024 Inspectors also shut down International Catering Bon, after discovering roaches, animal fecal matter and other violations. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fecal.' 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

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fecal was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near fecal

Cite this Entry

“Fecal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fecal. Accessed 21 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

fecal

adjective
fe·​cal
variants or chiefly British faecal
: of, relating to, or constituting feces
fecal incontinence
fecal matter
fecally adverb
or chiefly British faecally

More from Merriam-Webster on fecal

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