fecal

adjective

fe·​cal ˈfē-kəl 

: of, relating to, or constituting feces

Examples of fecal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After scraping and analyzing the potion, researchers confirmed beyond a doubt that the medicinal vial contained fecal matter, turning theory into historical fact. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

Dark fecal spots resembling pepper or coffee grounds. —Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026

Signs of an infestation include fecal stains (black or rusty-looking spots) on fabrics, shed skins, or the adult bugs, which are oval, flat, reddish-brown and about 3/16-inch long or nymphs, which are yellowish and transparent, says Oi. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025

This prevalence of fecal-oral parasites at Vindolanda is similar to other Roman military sites including Valkenburg on Rhine in the Netherlands, Carnuntum in Austria, and Bearsden in nearby Scotland. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025

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

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