excrete

[ik-skreet]

verb (used with object)

excreted, excreting 

1. to separate and eliminate from an organic body; separate and expel from the blood or tissues, as waste or harmful matter.

excrete

/ ɪkˈskriːt /

verb

1. to discharge (waste matter, such as urine, sweat, carbon dioxide, or faeces) from the body through the kidneys, skin, lungs, bowels, etc

2. (of plants) to eliminate (waste matter, such as carbon dioxide and salts) through the leaves, roots, etc

Other Word Forms

• excreter noun
• excretive adjective
• unexcreted adjective
• excretion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of excrete¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin excrētus “sifted out,” past participle of excernere “to sift out, separate,” from ex- ex- ¹ + cernere “to decide, separate, sift”

Word History and Origins

Origin of excrete¹

C17: from Latin excernere to separate, discharge, from cernere to sift

Example Sentences

For one, there are many different kinds that all look different, and evidence of parasitic infection can be excreted as parasitic larvae, which are microscopic.

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When water is lost, the body also excretes key electrolytes such as potassium and sodium.

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Similarly, betalains, the pigments responsible for rich reds and yellows, offer detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits but are excreted by the body without a visible effect on skin tone.

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Your body also produces about 700 milligrams of sulfites daily as you metabolize the protein in your food and excrete it as sulfate.

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The EPA considers certain levels of glyphosate safe for human exposure, asserting that the chemical is minimally absorbed into the body and is primarily excreted unchanged.

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Related Words

• discharge 
• secrete