excreta

[ik-skree-tuh]

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. excreted matter, as urine, feces, or sweat.

excreta

/ ɪkˈskriːtə /

plural noun

1. waste matter, such as urine, faeces, or sweat, discharged from the body; excrement

Other Word Forms

• excretal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excreta¹

1855–60; < Latin excrēta things sifted out or separated, neuter plural of excrētus; excrete

Word History and Origins

Origin of excreta¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin excernere to _excrete

Example Sentences

Plus, excreta is a lagging indicator, so it’s doubly difficult to connect the dots.

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The team collected excreta samples daily during the entire experimental period and analyzed DNA to identify bacteria present.

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Nitrogen, which is vital for plant growth, is present in animal excreta and synthetic fertilisers that are applied to land to boost crop production.

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Outbreaks are sporadic and previous infections in South Asia were traced to consumption of items contaminated with bat excreta.

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Outbreaks are sporadic and previous infections in South Asia have occurred when people drank date-palm sap contaminated with bat excreta.

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Related Words

• droppings 
• dung 
• feces 
• manure 
• urine