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.
Swimmers can return to the water at Crandon Park North in Key Biscayne following a high-bacteria warning that could have indicated fecal pollution, according to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade on Wednesday. Sofia Saric may 27, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 The annual Beach Report Card examines the amount of fecal pollution measured along the West Coast from Baja California all the way up to the state of Washington. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 But tests found high fecal indicator bacteria in the water, especially near urbanized areas in the lower section of the river. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 20 May 2026 Runoff from a pond in the estuary was carrying fecal matter from geese, swans and ducks onto the beach, toward the harbor and Long Island Sound. Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 15 May 2026 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 1 Jun. 2026.

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

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