: 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 Cleveland Clinic describes them as tightening and releasing those muscles to build strength, and says the payoff can include help with urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 Photos from the event show Wietrzytk pushing a workout sled, doing burpees, rowing, and running through stations while covered in fecal matter. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026 The first rain of the season in particular washes fecal matter from pets and other animals into storm drains and then the ocean. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Facility did have have vomit and fecal clean up policy; policy was provided. — Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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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