poop

¹ American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

1. a superstructure at the stern of a vessel.

2. poop deck.

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verb (used with object)

1. (of a wave) to break over the stern of (a ship).

2. to take (seas) over the stern.

poop ² American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

Slang.

1. excrement.

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verb (used without object)

Slang.

1. to defecate.

poop ³ American  

[poop] / pup /

verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to cause to become out of breath or fatigued; exhaust.

   Climbing that mountain pooped the whole group.

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verb phrase

1. poop out

   1. to cease from or fail in something, as from fear or exhaustion.

      When the time for action came, they all pooped out and went home instead.

   2. to break down; stop functioning.

      The heater has pooped out again.

poop ⁴ American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

Slang.

1. relevant information, especially a candid or pertinent factual report; lowdown.

   Send a reporter to get the real poop on that accident.

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poop ⁵ American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

Slang.

1. a stupid, fussy, or boring person.

2. party pooper.

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poop ¹ British  

/ puːp /

noun

1. a raised structure at the stern of a vessel, esp a sailing ship

2. See poop deck

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verb

1. (tr) (of a wave or sea) to break over the stern of (a vessel)

2. (intr) (of a vessel) to ship a wave or sea over the stern, esp repeatedly

poop ² British  

/ puːp /

noun

1. slang

   1. information; the facts

   2. ( as modifier )

      a poop sheet

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poop ³ British  

/ puːp /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to cause to become exhausted; tire

   he was pooped after the race

2. to give up or fail, esp through tiredness

   he pooped out of the race

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poop ⁴ British  

/ puːp /

verb

1. to defecate

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noun

1. faeces; excrement

Etymology

Origin of poop¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English pouppe, from Middle French, from Latin puppis “stern of a ship”

Origin of poop²

First recorded in 1735–45; earlier “to break wind,” probably the same word as Middle English powpen, popen “to sound or blow a horn”; uncertain if poop ³ ( def. ) and poop ⁴ ( def. ) are sense developments or parallel expressive coinages

Origin of poop³

First recorded in 1885–90; perhaps to be identified with poop ²

Origin of poop⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; origin uncertain; originally military slang; cf. poop sheet

Origin of poop⁵

First recorded in 1910–15; perhaps shortening of nincompoop

Explanation

Poop is a somewhat childish word for feces. When used as a verb, it means going number two. Poop is a very commonly used slang word that means feces and is far more acceptable than crap and shit. The only downside is that talking about pooping or poop sounds kind of silly. Still, no one will blink if you say "I need to take a poop" or "Go clean up your dog's poop!" There are a few other unrelated meanings — like the rear "poop deck" of a ship and "the poop", meaning the inside information on something.

Example Sentences

Speaking on the Monks & Merrill podcast, Pratt criticized Bass’ moves to cut costs to film at the Griffith Observatory, saying, “Who needs that shot right now with the homeless poop all around it?”

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

Another problem, she says, is that so many dogs are brought to these public rest areas to pee, poop and drink water that they can become unsanitary—especially for older dogs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

So, I actually haven’t come across too much dog poop.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

World number two Swiatek said: "The question is, are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop?"

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

“Welcome to detention. I'm Deneb. You'll be removing all poop from the animal cages today. Names please.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• facts
• information
• intelligence
• lowdown
• news
• tea