secretion

[ si-kree-shuhn ]
See synonyms for secretion on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. (in a cell or gland) the act or process of separating, elaborating, and releasing a substance that fulfills some function within the organism or undergoes excretion.

  2. the product of this act or process.

Origin of secretion

1
1640–50; <Latin sēcrētiōn- (stem of sēcrētiō), equivalent to sēcrēt(us) (past participle of sēcernere to secern) + -iōn--ion

Other words from secretion

  • se·cre·tion·ar·y [si-kree-shuh-ner-ee], /sɪˈkri ʃəˌnɛr i/, adjective
  • non·se·cre·tion, noun
  • non·se·cre·tion·ar·y, adjective
  • o·ver·se·cre·tion, noun
  • su·per·se·cre·tion, noun

Words Nearby secretion

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How to use secretion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for secretion

secretion

/ (sɪˈkriːʃən) /


noun
  1. a substance that is released from a cell, esp a glandular cell, and is synthesized in the cell

  2. the process involved in producing and releasing such a substance from the cell

Origin of secretion

1
C17: from Medieval Latin sēcrētiō, from Latin: a separation; see secern

Derived forms of secretion

  • secretionary, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for secretion

secretion

[ sĭ-krēshən ]


  1. The process of secreting a substance from a cell or gland.

  2. A substance, such as saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone, that is secreted.

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