fecal

adjective

fe·​cal ˈfē-kəl How to pronounce fecal (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting feces

Examples of fecal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Modern space toilets were not available during the Apollo missions, so those crews used a plastic bag to collect their fecal waste. Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 The animals underwent vaccinations, fecal testing and received flea prevention treatment as part of the intake process, according to Macomb County Animal Control staff. Eric Henderson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 There was no plumbing backup, of course — there is no actual plumbing on the Orion spacecraft, as urine is vented out into space and fecal matter is collected for later disposal. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 The toilet would still have been used for fecal collection. Denise Chow, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fecal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fecal was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fecal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fecal. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

Medical Definition

fecal

adjective
fe·​cal
variants or chiefly British faecal
: of, relating to, or constituting feces
fecal incontinence
fecal matter
fecally adverb
or chiefly British faecally

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