secretion

[si-kree-shuhn]

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.

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

secretion

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.

Other Word Forms

• secretionary adjective
• nonsecretion noun
• nonsecretionary adjective
• oversecretion noun
• supersecretion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secretion¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of secretion¹

C17: from Medieval Latin sēcrētiō, from Latin: a separation; see _secern

Example Sentences

The EU has already defined dairy items as products coming from the "normal mammary secretion".

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In theory, each ingredient plays a role: one dries secretions, another loosens phlegm, a third dulls the cough reflex.

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"And we didn't see excess mucus secretions ... so we also just immediately knew that we weren't stressing out the animals."

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The devastating viral infection, carried by wild birds, spreads primarily through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact and can also be contracted by mammals that ingest birds or other products.

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The drug's overall effect is to promote a feeling of fullness or "satiety," which reduces the desire for food and to boost insulin secretion, which reduces glucose levels in the blood.

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Related Words

• bile 
• mucus 
• saliva