fecal

adjective

fe·​cal ˈfē-kəl How to pronounce fecal (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting feces

Examples of fecal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This prevalence of fecal-oral parasites at Vindolanda is similar to other Roman military sites including Valkenburg on Rhine in the Netherlands, Carnuntum in Austria, and Bearsden in nearby Scotland. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025 When Cornwallis sinks into an existential crisis over his position in the universe as a tiny piece of fecal matter, the boys set out to prove that every piece of poo matters on Christmas. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025 Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in both men and women include frequent urination, constipation, urinary and fecal incontinence, painful urination, and low back pain. Sara Braun, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025 Organic and lightly brushed with salmonella and fecal matter. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fecal

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin faecālis, from Latin faec-, faex "wine lees, tartar, dregs" (Medieval Latin also "excrement") + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fecal was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fecal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fecal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

fecal

adjective
fe·​cal
variants or chiefly British faecal
: of, relating to, or constituting feces
fecal incontinence
fecal matter
fecally adverb
or chiefly British faecally

More from Merriam-Webster on fecal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!