excretory

adjective

ex·​cre·​to·​ry ˈek-skrə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce excretory (audio)
: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion
excretory ducts

Examples of excretory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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

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

circa 1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of excretory was circa 1681

Dictionary Entries Near excretory

Cite this Entry

“Excretory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excretory. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

excretory

adjective
ex·​cre·​to·​ry ˈek-skrə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce excretory (audio)
-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- How to pronounce excretory (audio)
: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion
excretory ducts
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