defecation

noun

def·​e·​ca·​tion ˌde-fi-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce defecation (audio)
1
: the discharge of solid waste from the anus : the act or process of defecating
To meet the clinical definition of IBS [irritable bowel syndrome], you must have had 12 weeks … of abdominal pain or discomfort within the past year, associated with relief with defecation and a change in the form or frequency of stool.Food and Fitness Advisor
2
: feces, excrement
At first it was believable because, as Gov. Mario Cuomo said at the outset, "She's covered with defecation, her hair is shorn … "Ellen Goodman
William Allen Livingston lost several ounces of urine and defecation when the fusillade of .38 caliber and .00 buckshot devastated him …Joseph Wambaugh

Examples of defecation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last year Charlotte City Council took a controversial vote to restore criminal penalties for public masturbation, urination and defecation, and open containers, among other offenses. Alexandria Sands, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025 Its collection includes a wall of sculpted vulvas and a machine that mimics human digestion, complete with odors, from chewing to defecation. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 25 June 2024 But the second biggest emitter is via the burping and defecation of livestock. Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 3 Dec. 2024 Locals in turn threaten to protest with a mass defecation into the river. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 30 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for defecation 

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defecation was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near defecation

Cite this Entry

“Defecation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defecation. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

defecation

noun
def·​e·​ca·​tion
variants or chiefly British defaecation
: discharge of feces
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!