excrete

verb

ex·​crete ik-ˈskrēt How to pronounce excrete (audio)
excreted; excreting

transitive verb

: to separate and eliminate or discharge (waste) from the blood, tissues, or organs or from the active protoplasm
excreter noun

Examples of excrete 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.
The kidneys process the water and either store it in the body or excrete it through urine. Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025 In general, your body does a good job of transporting toxins (i.e., substances that may be harmful to your health) to your kidneys where they’re broken down and excreted from your body, says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Korin Miller, Flow Space, 29 Apr. 2025 And while the metal is usually excreted from the body, and most people experience no adverse side effects, previous research has shown some gadolinium particles have been left behind. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 Apparently, the secretary is unaware that vitamin A is fat soluble and not easily excreted, with any excess stored in the liver. Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for excrete

Word History

Etymology

Latin excretus, past participle of excernere to sift out, discharge, from ex- + cernere to sift — more at certain

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of excrete was in 1620

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excrete. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

excrete

verb
ex·​crete ik-ˈskrēt How to pronounce excrete (audio)
excreted; excreting
: to separate and remove (waste produced by cellular activity) from the living body
urea is excreted by the kidneys in urine

Medical Definition

excrete

transitive verb
ex·​crete ik-ˈskrēt How to pronounce excrete (audio)
excreted; excreting
: to separate and eliminate or discharge (waste) from the blood, tissues, or organs or from the active protoplasm

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