feces

plural noun

fe·​ces ˈfē-(ˌ)sēz How to pronounce feces (audio)
: bodily waste discharged through the anus : excrement

Examples of feces in a Sentence

examined the animal's feces for signs of intestinal parasites
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.
In addition, there are diseases common to cats that can be picked up through their feces. oregonlive, 29 Jan. 2023 Ferguson went to check on Price on Jan. 28, 2021, after being notified Price was consuming his own feces and urine, according to the lawsuit. Thomas Saccente, Arkansas Online, 17 Jan. 2023 An indirect way whales can be critical carbon sinks is through their feces. James Freeman, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2022 But some other countries vaccinate with live attenuated virus that, on rare occasion, can mutate and spread via vaccinated people, who excrete it through their feces. Erin Prater, Fortune, 1 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for feces 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin faec-, faex (singular) dregs

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of feces was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near feces

Cite this Entry

“Feces.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feces. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

feces

plural noun
fe·​ces ˈfē-(ˌ)sēz How to pronounce feces (audio)
: bodily waste discharged through the anus : excrement
fecal
ˈfē-kəl
adjective

Medical Definition

feces

noun plural
fe·​ces
variants or chiefly British faeces
: bodily waste discharged through the anus : excrement

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