eructation

noun

eruc·​ta·​tion i-ˌrək-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce eructation (audio)
ˌē-
: an act or instance of belching

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Eructation is simply a fancier, and some might argue a more decorous, word for "belch." "Eructation" was borrowed from Latin in the 15th century; the verb eruct, meaning "to belch," followed in the late 16th century. Both have their source in the Latin verb eructare, which is the frequentative form of erugere, meaning "to belch or disgorge." (A frequentative form is one that denotes a repeated or recurrent action or state.) "Eructare" shares an ancestor with Greek word ereugesthai as well as Old English "rocettan," both of which also mean "to belch."

Examples of eructation in a Sentence

an enormous eructation that startled everyone within earshot
Recent Examples on the Web What could this latest eructation from the presidential brain mean? Gerard Baker, WSJ, 19 June 2023 That assessment is doubtless linked to CNN’s coverage of the Trump years, which was a flood-the-zone extravaganza that highlighted every baffling suggestion and eructation of the 45th president. Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 21 June 2022 Cows account for another 4% of global carbon emissions in the form of methane through what scientists call eructation and flatulence, or what our kids refer to as burping and farting. Chunka Mui, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2021 Our tent was fast filling with eructations-ode de Dinty Moore. John Phillips, Car and Driver, 24 Mar. 2020 His flacks and surrogates hand out scraps of information grudgingly, infrequently, and beclouded by fragrant eructations of doublespeak. Charles Seife, Slate Magazine, 1 Mar. 2017

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

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eructation was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near eructation

Cite this Entry

“Eructation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eructation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

eructation

noun
eruc·​ta·​tion i-ˌrək-ˈtā-shən, ˌē- How to pronounce eructation (audio)
: an act or instance of belching
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