fecal

adjective

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Coastal runoff can carry the marsupial’s fecal matter into the watershed where the parasite then builds up in a sea lion’s food sources, said Dr. Todd Schmitt, one of SeaWorld’s veterinarians. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2023 Since 2015, state regulators have also fined the facility more than $267,000 for a range of water quality violations, including exceeding discharge limits for formaldehyde, ammonia and fecal coliform. Drew Kann, ajc, 15 July 2022 One of the samples from the river showed fecal bacteria levels more than 180 times a state safety threshold, while several others taken on the same day at other locations were within normal ranges. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2022 The swastikas, which appear to have been made of fecal matter, apparently were put up late Sunday in Kaleidoscope, a small residence hall in Sixth College. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2023 The fecal matter of human users can, when consumed by animals, also be toxic. Sophia Solano, Anchorage Daily News, 3 May 2023 When that happens, the fecal matter becomes harder, more solid, and, ultimately, more difficult to expel. Julia Ries, Health, 31 Mar. 2023 While there are many colonoscopy alternatives available, doctors generally recommend two screening tools the most often: the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and the stool DNA test. Theresa Sullivan Barger, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2023 Obviously, bathrooms are filled with germs, and using your phone while on the toilet only increases the possibility of particles—think fecal matter, among other things—landing on your screen. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2023 See More

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

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fecal was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near fecal

Cite this Entry

“Fecal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fecal. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

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
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