secretion

noun

se·​cre·​tion si-ˈkrē-shən 

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

2

[secrete entry 2] : the act of hiding something : concealment

secretionary

si-ˈkrē-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• stashing
• hiding
• concealment
• caching

Examples of secretion in a Sentence

the secretion of stomach acids

root secretions that repel insects

Recent Examples on the Web

Animal research shows monk fruit doesn't raise blood sugar or trigger insulin secretion like table sugar does. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025

Taken altogether, the study’s findings suggest that melatonin secretion and ADHD are genetically linked, and this relationship appears to go beyond bad sleeping habits. —Paul McClure 09, New Atlas, 9 June 2025

Reducing blood sugar by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas. —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 7 May 2025

To check whether tumor cells were secreting something that primed the lungs to host them, Altea-Manzano and colleagues grew pieces of mouse mammary tumor in a dish, then collected the liquid containing all the cellular secretions. —Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing secretion

• hyper-secretion
• internal secretion

Rhymes for secretion

• accretion
• completion
• concretion
• deletion
• depletion
• excretion
• repletion
• carburetion
• grecian
• hypersecretion

Kids Definition

secretion

noun

se·​cre·​tion si-ˈkrē-shən 

1

a

: the process of giving off a substance (as saliva)

b

: a substance produced and given off by a gland

especially : one (as an enzyme) that performs a specific useful function in the body

2

: concealment sense 1

Medical Definition

secretion

noun

se·​cre·​tion si-ˈkrē-shən 

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