perspiration

noun per·spi·ra·tion \ ˌpər-spə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of perspiration

1 : the action or process of perspiring

2 : a saline fluid secreted by the sweat glands : sweat

See perspiration defined for English-language learners

See perspiration defined for kids

Examples of perspiration in a Sentence

She wiped the perspiration from her forehead.

Recent Examples of perspiration from the Web

Enrollment will begin in either January or July to ensure coverage of all seasons, since outdoor temperatures play a role in heat and perspiration.

— don sapatkin, Philly.com, "Widener study aims to solve a prostheses problem: sweat," 24 Oct. 2017
But some types of sweat pose more of a problem than others—like vagina sweat, or perspiration from the glands of your vulva and groin area.

— jessica migala, Health.com, "How to Keep Your Crotch From Getting So Sweaty," 20 Oct. 2017
Jansen, who was covered in perspiration, had allowed as many as three hits in a game only twice since April.

— bruce schoenfeld, New York Times, "Here Comes the Closer . . . In the Seventh Inning?," 28 Sep. 2017
Fingers tingle and perspiration washes over the body.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "I’m getting horrible hot flashes. What can I safely do about them?," 15 Oct. 2017
Inside a shelter at Highland Oaks Middle School, dozens of people lay on cots and blankets in the building’s hallways amid a stench of perspiration and vomit.

— henry fountain and matt stevens, New York Times, "As Irma Swings West, Officials Scramble to Open Shelters," 9 Sep. 2017
The human body sheds its internal heat and cools itself mostly through perspiration and evaporation, but only up to a point.

— william langewiesche, The Hive, "How Extreme Heat Could Leave Swaths of the Planet Uninhabitable," 22 Aug. 2017
The next morning, just before the race start, the runners reported to a medical tent where they were weighed and fitted with patches to measure perspiration rates.

— gretchen reynolds, New York Times, "What Half-Marathons Teach Us About Running a Marathon," 11 Oct. 2017
Terrell Suggs has sweat pouring down his face and the T-shirt that clings to his muscular body is drenched with perspiration.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Preston: Veteran Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs wants defense to be dominant again," 7 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perspiration.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of perspiration

1583

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Other Physiology Terms

eructation, flux, gustatory, menarche, myopia, senescence, torpor

PERSPIRATION Defined for English Language Learners

perspiration

noun

Definition of perspiration for English Language Learners

: the clear liquid that forms on your skin when you are hot or nervous
: the act or process of perspiring

PERSPIRATION Defined for Kids

perspiration

noun per·spi·ra·tion \ ˌpər-spə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of perspiration for Students

1 : the act or process of perspiring

2 : salty liquid given off from skin glands

Medical Dictionary

perspiration

noun per·spi·ra·tion \ ˌpər-spə-ˈrā-shən \

medical Definition of perspiration

1 : the act or process of perspiring

2 : a saline fluid that is secreted by the sweat glands, that consists chiefly of water containing sodium chloride and other salts, nitrogenous substances (as urea), carbon dioxide, and other solutes, and that serves both as a means of excretion and as a regulator of body temperature through the cooling effect of its evaporation