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.
The situation caused solid waste to back up in the kennels, exposing dogs to fecal matter. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 The agency is still working through biosecurity testing, such as pullorum tests and fecal results. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026 Although other pests cause similar damage, thrips damage is often associate with numerous small flecks of dark green to black fecal matter. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026 To get a clear idea of how capable at-home tests were, Hoffman and her team created a trial stool sample by blending healthy fecal matter until the mixture of organisms was homogenous throughout. K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 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 10 Mar. 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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