stool

1 of 2

noun

ˈstül 

1

a

: a seat usually without back or arms supported by three or four legs or by a central pedestal

b

: a low bench or portable support for the feet or knees : footstool

2

: a seat used as a symbol of office or authority

also : the rank, dignity, office, or rule of a chieftain

3

a

: a discharge of fecal matter

b

: a seat used while defecating or urinating

4

a

: a stump or group of stumps of a tree especially when producing suckers

b

: a plant crown from which shoots grow out

c

: a shoot or growth from a stool

5

: stool pigeon sense 1

stool

2 of 2

verb

stooled; stooling; stools

intransitive verb

: to throw out shoots in the manner of a stool

Examples of stool in a Sentence

Noun

She sat on a stool.

The patient had bloody stools.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Molecular testing — which uses polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, technology to search for cyclospora DNA in stool samples — is the most common way to test for cyclospora, according to Misra. — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

It's linked to fresh produce, not meat, and often requires specific testing as routine stool cultures miss it. — Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Verb

Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, isn’t broken down by gut bacteria and instead adds bulk to stool, promoting regular bowel movements. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 23 Apr. 2026

Certain probiotics also stimulate intestinal muscles to contract more effectively, helping move stool through your colon. — Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English stōl; akin to Old High German stuol chair, Old Church Slavic stolŭ seat, throne

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1770, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stool

• cucking stool
• cutty stool
• ducking stool
• step stool
• stool pigeon

Rhymes for stool

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• ghoul
• mule
• pool
• poul
• rule
• school

Kids Definition

stool

noun

ˈstül

1

a

: a seat without back or arms supported by three or four legs or by a central post

b

: footstool

2

a

: a seat used while urinating or having a bowel movement

b

: a mass of bodily waste discharged from the intestine in a bowel movement

Medical Definition

stool

noun

ˈstül 

: a discharge of fecal matter