defecate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to void excrement from the bowels through the anus; have a bowel movement.
-
to become clear of dregs, impurities, etc.
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(intr) to discharge waste from the body through the anus
-
(tr) to clarify or remove impurities from (a solution, esp of sugar)
Other Word Forms
- defecation noun
- defecator noun
Etymology
Origin of defecate
First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin dēfaecātus (past participle of dēfaecāre “to cleanse, refine”), equivalent to dē- de- + faec- (stem of faex “dregs, sediment”) + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Consider, then, taking in a mammal that can fell a tree, chew through wire, weighs 30 to 60 pounds full-grown, loves to wrestle, needs to swim and can only defecate in water.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025
The dog was untrained and would run around the office and defecate on the carpet, with Yusuf seemingly unwilling to pick up the faeces, ex-employees told BBC News.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2025
In the cooler months of the year — historically from April to September — snakes become sluggish and may not eat, drink, defecate or even move for weeks at a time.
From New York Times • Mar. 14, 2024
Another time, he went out to defecate in a field, and tanks started firing around him.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 25, 2023
Each set of six ate together, slept together, and had to urinate and defecate together.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
