noun

excretion

ik-SKREE-shuhn/ɪkˈskriːʃn/

The discharge of waste from a living body or its cells.

The kidneys play a central role in the excretion of waste.

A clean non-graphic anatomical model of kidneys, ureters and bladder with subtle arrows showing waste-fluid passage, no external anatomy.

Etymology

exLatinout

+creLatinsift, separate

+tionLatinaction or process

The pieces describe the action of separating something out. Applied to the body, excretion names the elimination process, rather than the waste material itself.

In context

JJ Medicine3:01

a diuresis or increased urine excretion of vitamin b1

Beriberi (Thiamine Deficiency): Wet vs Dry Beriberi, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

More examples

Sweating contributes to the excretion of salt.
The drug increases the excretion of water in urine.
Scientists collect the animal's excretions for testing.

Forms

excretion · excretions

excrete verb — Eliminate waste from the body or cells.

excretory adjective — Relating to the removal of bodily waste.

Similar words

elimination: Broader; also describes removing things unrelated to bodily waste.
discharge: Broader; includes releases of substances that are not waste.