excretory

adjective

ex·​cre·​to·​ry ˈek-skrə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion

excretory ducts

Examples of excretory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While almost every living organism possesses an excretory system, most reptiles don’t eliminate excess nitrogen-containing waste in the form of liquid urine. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025

The neural juices then slosh around, accumulate beta-amyloid gunk, and flow out through specialized waste-removal channels before eventually getting eliminated through the body’s excretory pathways. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024

For instance, the three toed sloth’s digestive system is so lethargic that the animals only need to descend from their trees once a week for their excretory endeavors. —Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024

Some species were so thoroughly coated in armor that even the openings for their reproductive and excretory tracts had spikes around them. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023

So the scientists further tested the parrotfish’s response by injecting lionfish and grouper effluent—an excretory soup from the predators’ water—into their tanks. —Lesley Evans Ogden, Scientific American, 19 May 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for excretory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• extempore
• feudatory
• gustatory

Kids Definition

excretory

adjective

ex·​cre·​to·​ry ˈek-skrə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion

kidneys are excretory organs

Medical Definition

excretory

adjective

ex·​cre·​to·​ry ˈek-skrə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion

excretory ducts