excretion

/ɪkˈskriːʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈskriːʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈskrē-shən/ (ame, mw)

excretion — noun

  • excretionsingular
  • excretionsplural

1. the bodily action by which living things send out useless or harmful liquid and

1.名詞C1
釋義

the bodily action by which living things send out useless or harmful liquid and solid waste, including urine and feces.

例句

The kidneys play a central role in the excretion of toxins from the blood.

excretion of [substance] — typical scientific collocation

Padma's biology teacher explained how sweat glands assist with excretion during exercise.

noun in subject of preposition: assist with excretion

同義詞
  • elimination

    more general; can describe getting rid of anything, not only bodily waste

  • discharge

    broader; also covers pus, fluids from wounds, or industrial outflow

反義詞
  • absorption

    the opposite biological direction: taking substances into the body rather than removing them

  • ingestion

    taking food or liquid into the body

文法句型

excretion of [substance]

用法筆記

Almost always uncountable in this sense. Frequently appears with 'of' + the substance being removed (excretion of urea, of sodium, of toxins). Common in biology and medical writing rather than everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌The body has many excretions every day.
✅The body carries out excretion every day.
💡for the process sense, use the uncountable noun; countable 'excretions' shifts to the waste-matter sense.

2. a substance, such as urine, sweat, or feces, that an animal or person sends out

2.名詞C1
釋義

a substance, such as urine, sweat, or feces, that an animal or person sends out of the body as waste.

例句

Rangers collect bear excretions along the trail to study what the animals are eating.

plural countable: [animal] excretions

Maja wore gloves while cleaning cages so she would not touch any animal excretions.

同義詞
  • excrement

    narrower; usually means solid waste only, especially feces

  • waste

    broadest and most everyday; covers both solid and liquid

  • droppings

    informal; used mainly for the solid waste of animals, especially birds and small mammals

文法句型

[animal] excretions

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (the process): here 'excretion(s)' is countable and refers to the actual waste material. Often plural in scientific contexts where multiple samples or types are discussed.

常見錯誤

❌The dog left an excretion in the garden.
✅The dog left droppings in the garden.
💡for everyday speech, 'droppings' or 'waste' is far more natural; 'excretions' is scientific/clinical.