fecal

adjective

fe·​cal ˈfē-kəl 

: of, relating to, or constituting feces

Examples of fecal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After bountiful rain in New Jersey, beaches have been under fecal bacteria advisories and at one point two beaches were closed. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Another Baltimore City pool was closed Wednesday after fecal matter was found in the water following an apparent act of vandalism, according to Baltimore Recreation and Parks. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Mats of bacteria thrived on this fecal feast, and some animals came to graze on the bacteria. — ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026

That increases the risk that diseases, including protozoa such as cyclospora, which are transmitted through ingestion of fecal matter, may spread through food and water supplies. — Joan Rose, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for fecal

• caecal
• faecal
• meikle
• treacle
• ileocecal
• intrathecal

Medical Definition

fecal

adjective

fe·​cal

variants or chiefly British faecal

ˈfē-kəl 

: of, relating to, or constituting feces

fecal incontinence

fecal matter

fecally adverb

or chiefly British faecally

-kə-lē