fecal

[ fee-kuhl ]

/ ˈfi kəl /

Save This Word!

adjective

of, relating to, or being feces.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fecal

First recorded in 1535–45; fec(es) + -al¹

Words nearby fecal

febrile, febris, February, February Revolution, FEC, fecal, fecaloid, feces, Fechner, fecht, fecit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fecal in a sentence

“These samples therefore represent, to our knowledge, the oldest known positive identification of human fecal matter,” wrote Candela and his colleagues.
Oldest DNA from poop contains a Neanderthal’s microbiome|Kiona N. Smith|February 8, 2021|Ars Technica
Every person on the planet, with a few strange exceptions, finds fecal material something they want to stay away from.
The Downside of Disgust (Ep. 448)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 21, 2021|Freakonomics
With another experiment, Chandran is trying to find the right combination of microbes that will turn organics from fecal sludge into fuel, which could theoretically be used to help power homes.
Battling America’s ‘dirty secret’|Sarah Kaplan|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
Twenty people eventually died and nearly 600 were diagnosed with the virus, which is spread when a person ingests trace amounts of fecal matter from a person who’s infected.
Faulconer Hopes His Action on Homelessness Will Overshadow His Failure|Lisa Halverstadt|December 7, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Early in the pandemic, scientists discovered that fecal matter contains bits of the genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, up to a week before a person tests positive.
Old sewers are becoming a modern Covid-19 watchdog|Katherine Ellen Foley|October 29, 2020|Quartz
There was poop humor—literally—when Valerie's house becomes flooded with fecal matter after a pipe bursts.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards|Kevin Fallon|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Polio is an enterovirus (lives and is replicated in our intestines) that is spread via fecal-oral transmission.
U.N. Calls Middle East Polio Outbreak ‘Greatest Polio Challenge in History’|Kent Sepkowitz|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The army met the stone-throwing with a fecal-smelling concoction called "skunk" and later with tear gas.
After Victory, Palestinian Village Runs Into A Wall|Ali Gharib|April 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Salmonella is spread through the fecal matter of animals and humans.
6 Things You Should Know About Salmonella|The Daily Beast|August 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Larger amounts, not well mixed with fecal matter, indicate inflammation of the large intestine.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
A sufficient amount of mucus or fecal matter will usually be brought away by it.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
After digestion has taken place, the fecal matter collects in the main intestine and is forcibly ejected by the pharynx.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide|Augusta Foote Arnold
Despite the daily movement, there may be considerable fecal matter left in the bowel which undergoes decomposition.
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume IV. (of IV.)|Grant Hague
The19 initial presence of these bacteria in milk is indicative of fecal contamination or unclean conditions of production.
The Book of Cheese|Charles Thom and Walter Warner Fisk

British Dictionary definitions for fecal

fecal

/ (ˈfiːkəl) /

adjective

the usual US spelling of faecal

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

fecal

Origin of fecal

Words nearby fecal

Words related to fecal

How to use fecal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fecal