apocrine

American  

[ap-uh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen] / ˈæp ə krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, -ˌkrin /

adjective

Physiology.

1. of or relating to certain glands whose secretions are acted upon by bacteria to produce the characteristic odor of perspiration (eccrine ).

2. of or relating to such secretions.

   apocrine sweat.

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apocrine British  

/ ˈæpəkraɪn, -krɪn /

adjective

1. denoting a type of glandular secretion in which part of the secreting cell is lost with the secretion, as in mammary glands Compare merocrine holocrine

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Etymology

Origin of apocrine

1925–30; < Greek apokrī́nein to set apart, equivalent to apo- apo- + krī́nein to separate, choose; formed as if with -ine ¹, probably on the model of endocrine

Compare meaning

How does apocrine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• apocrine vs. eccrine

Example Sentences

There are two kinds of sweat glands in mammals: apocrine and eccrine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Body odor from the armpits comes from bacteria metabolizing sweat produced by the apocrine glands.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2024

Aluminum is often used for this, plugging up perspiration-producing glands called eccrine and apocrine glands, the latter of which are concentrated in the hairy parts of the body.

From National Geographic • Sep. 6, 2023

That’s because there are two types of sweat glands present there: eccrine glands, which sweat out the salty watery stuff discussed above, and apocrine glands, which release a viscous waxy substance.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2021

An apocrine sweat gland is usually associated with hair follicles in densely hairy areas, such as armpits and genital regions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013