# excretion

/ɪksˈkɹiʃən/ (US) · /ɛkskɹˈɛʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/excretion
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

waste material that your body removes, such as urine, sweat, or air you breathe out. It also means the process of removing that waste.

For teachers: metabolic waste eliminated from an organism, and the physiological process of eliminating it through urine, faeces, sweat, or respiration.

## Examples

- The body uses excretion to remove extra water and salt.
- After the marathon, excretion through sweat helps his body cool down and balance fluids.
- Efficient renal excretion of nitrogenous waste prevents toxic buildup, a balance that fails in kidney disease.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the process; countable, often in the plural, when referring to excreted substances.

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