secretion

noun se·cre·tion \ si-ˈkrē-shən \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of secretion

1 a : the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (such as saliva) or isolated for excretion (such as urine)

b : a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant; especially : one performing a specific useful function in the organism

[²secrete]

: the act of hiding something : concealment

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secretionary

play \si-ˈkrē-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

See secretion defined for English-language learners

See secretion defined for kids

Examples of secretion in a Sentence

the secretion of stomach acids
root secretions that repel insects

Recent Examples of secretion from the Web

Nurses were apparently not allowed to clean out the eye socket on visits, which meant various body secretions were left to build up in Hunt's face and flooded into his lungs.

— Fox News, "Cancer ate half his face: Eye cancer misdiagnosed as migraine left giant hole in man's face," 7 May 2018
The climbers are collecting blood and microbiome samples—stool, saliva, and secretions from their eyes—at Everest Base Camp (5364 meters), both before and after acclimatization climbs, then again at Camp 3 and possibly higher.

— vedrana simicevic, Science | AAAS, "Two mountaineers are trying to recreate NASA’s twin study—on Mount Everest," 4 May 2018
Hospice workers recommend an anti-secretion medicine to dry up the mucous: one syringe-full against the gum.

— ellen wayland-smith, Longreads, "Death Rattle: The Body’s Betrayals," 21 Mar. 2018
In one landmark study from the late ’50s, over 1,000 stalwarts were inoculated with the infectious nasal secretions from a patient with an active cold.

— richard klasco, m.d., New York Times, "Can I Catch the Same Cold Twice?," 9 Mar. 2018
Because of its healing powers, people are starting to slather snail secretion onto their fresh tattoos, too.

— devon abelman, Allure, "People Are Using Snail Slime to Heal Their Tattoos — But Is This Controversial Aftercare Safe?," 6 Feb. 2018
The secretion is yellow, with almost the consistency of a curry sauce.

— matthew martinez, miamiherald, "New ant species goes on a full suicide mission, 'explodes' guts all over attackers | Miami Herald," 20 Apr. 2018
Their vibrant superpower comes from three molecules that linger in their lymph tissue, skin, and glandular secretions.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Puffin Beaks Are Fluorescent, and They’re Not the Only Ones," 9 Apr. 2018
The researchers added skin secretions from captive frogs to petri dishes of growing Bd.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "A Few Species of Frogs That Vanished May Be on the Rebound," 29 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of secretion

French sécrétion, from Latin secretion-, secretio separation, from secernere to separate — more at secret

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

secretion Synonyms

SECRETION Defined for English Language Learners

secretion

noun

Definition of secretion for English Language Learners

: the production of a liquid by part of a plant or animal
: a substance produced and given off by a plant or animal part

SECRETION Defined for Kids

secretion

noun se·cre·tion \ si-ˈkrē-shən \

Definition of secretion for Students

1 : the act or process of giving off a substance

the secretion of saliva by salivary glands

2 : a substance formed in and given off by a gland that usually performs a useful function in the body

Digestive secretions contain enzymes.

Medical Dictionary

secretion

noun se·cre·tion \ si-ˈkrē-shən \

medical Definition of secretion

1 : the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine)

2 : a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant; especially : one performing a specific useful function in the organism