# urine

/ˈjɝən/ (US) · /jˈɔːɹɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/urine
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. body waste

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the liquid waste that your body makes and stores in your bladder.

For teachers: a liquid byproduct of metabolism in humans and many animals, consisting of water, salts, and urea.

- The doctor asked for a urine sample to check for any signs of infection.
- Clinical analysis of the patient's urine revealed elevated levels of glucose, suggesting a potential metabolic disorder.

Usage: Uncountable in general usage; countable only in laboratory contexts referring to specific samples.

Teaching tip: This is the formal and medical term. In everyday conversation, 'pee' is common but informal, while 'piss' is vulgar.

### 2. to pass waste

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for passing liquid waste from the body.

For teachers: to discharge urine from the body.

- In the old story, the traveler stopped by the road to urine.
- The historical text describes the patient's inability to urine without significant pain, a symptom the physician noted with concern.

Usage: Intransitive; modern English uses 'urinate' or 'pass urine' instead.

## Examples

- The doctor asked for a urine sample to check for infection.
- Healthy kidneys filter waste from the blood and produce urine to maintain the body's chemical balance.
- Forensic analysts examined the chemical composition of the urine found at the scene to determine if the suspect had been under the influence of specific medications.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.