secretion
noun
se·cre·tion
si-ˈkrē-shən 
1
a
: the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (such as saliva) or isolated for excretion (such as urine)
b
: a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant
especially
: one performing a specific useful function in the organism
2
[secrete entry 2]
: the act of hiding something : concealment
Examples of secretion in a Sentence
the secretion of stomach acids
root secretions that repel insects
Recent Examples on the Web
Measles is spread through contact with infected nasal or throat secretions, or by breathing in the virus after it's coughed, sneezed or sent into the air by an infected person, according to WHO.
—
USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
At the precise moment of detonation, the ants release a potent and viscous secretion — a biochemical cocktail that adheres to the exoskeletons of the predators.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
By examining the frog's secretions, the researchers focused on a peptide called Andersonnin-D1 that exhibits antimicrobial action.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
Doctors used a camera tube with a device to remove mucus plugs that yielded abundant secretions.
—Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretion
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USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
At the precise moment of detonation, the ants release a potent and viscous secretion — a biochemical cocktail that adheres to the exoskeletons of the predators.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
By examining the frog's secretions, the researchers focused on a peptide called Andersonnin-D1 that exhibits antimicrobial action.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
Doctors used a camera tube with a device to remove mucus plugs that yielded abundant secretions.
—Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretion
Cite this Entry
“Secretion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretion. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
secretion
noun
se·cre·tion
si-ˈkrē-shən
1
a
: the process of giving off a substance (as saliva)
b
: a substance produced and given off by a gland
especially
: one (as an enzyme) that performs a specific useful function in the body
Medical Definition
secretion
noun
se·cre·tion
si-ˈkrē-shən
1
: the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine)
2
: a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant
especially
: one performing a specific useful function in the organism
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