defecate

verb

def·​e·​cate ˈde-fi-ˌkāt 

defecated; defecating

intransitive verb

: to discharge feces from the bowels

transitive verb

1

: to discharge from the anus

2

: to free from impurity or corruption

Examples of defecate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After eating whatever was there in the ground, the hare defecated a little and played with his tail. —Robert Chandler, The New York Review of Books, 12 June 2025

The chief has pulled his pants down and defecated on the floor in front of his entire staff. —Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

Still, Madison Equities’ vacant Park Square Court building — which adjoins the Railroader Printing building — has fallen into neglect and disrepair, with visible evidence of squatters defecating in a corner. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025

Nearby, at Rage Ground, where people pay to vent their anger by breaking dishes and smashing cars, at least one homeless man has defecated and urinated outside the business. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin defaecatus, past participle of defaecare, from de- + faec-, faex dregs, lees

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for defecate

• hecate

Kids Definition

defecate

verb

def·​e·​cate ˈdef-i-ˌkāt 

defecated; defecating

: to expel feces from the bowels

defecation

ˌdef-i-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

defecate

verb

def·​e·​cate

variants or chiefly British defaecate

ˈdef-i-ˌkāt 

defecated; defecating

transitive verb

: to discharge from the anus

intransitive verb

: to discharge feces from the bowels