stool

1 of 2

noun

ˈstül 

1

a

: a seat usually without back or arms supported by three or four legs or by a central pedestal

b

: a low bench or portable support for the feet or knees : footstool

2

: a seat used as a symbol of office or authority

also : the rank, dignity, office, or rule of a chieftain

3

a

: a discharge of fecal matter

b

: a seat used while defecating or urinating

4

a

: a stump or group of stumps of a tree especially when producing suckers

b

: a plant crown from which shoots grow out

c

: a shoot or growth from a stool

5

: stool pigeon sense 1

stool

2 of 2

verb

stooled; stooling; stools

intransitive verb

: to throw out shoots in the manner of a stool

Examples of stool in a Sentence

Noun

She sat on a stool.

The patient had bloody stools.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The only thing that caught me off guard was how the PEI plate held the parts a little too well, requiring some aggressive flexing after cooling to pull the stool away. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

If your stair landing is large enough to accommodate a plant, perch one on the floor or on a small stool. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

Soluble fiber, which dissolves in water, feeds gut bacteria and softens stool, whereas insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and aids regular bowel movements. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026

The space features a 1960 Hans Wegner Ox chair from Galerie Half, a 1960s Charlotte Perriand stool from Gallery Roth, and a custom solid-bronze buffet. — Punch Hutton, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English stōl; akin to Old High German stuol chair, Old Church Slavic stolŭ seat, throne

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1770, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stool

• cucking stool
• cutty stool
• ducking stool
• step stool
• stool pigeon

Rhymes for stool

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• ghoul
• mule
• pool
• poul
• rule
• school

Kids Definition

stool

noun

ˈstül

1

a

: a seat without back or arms supported by three or four legs or by a central post

b

: footstool

2

a

: a seat used while urinating or having a bowel movement

b

: a mass of bodily waste discharged from the intestine in a bowel movement

Medical Definition

stool

noun

ˈstül 

: a discharge of fecal matter