guano

American  

[gwah-noh] / ˈgwɑ noʊ /

noun

1. a natural manure composed chiefly of the excrement of sea birds, found especially on islands near the Peruvian coast.

2. any similar substance, as an artificial fertilizer made from fish.

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guano British  

/ ˈɡwɑːnəʊ /

noun

1. 1. the dried excrement of fish-eating sea birds, deposited in rocky coastal regions of South America: contains the urates, oxalates, and phosphates of ammonium and calcium; used as a fertilizer

   2. the accumulated droppings of bats and seals

2. any similar but artificial substance used as a fertilizer

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guano Scientific  

/ gwä′nō /

1. A substance composed chiefly of the dung of sea birds or bats, accumulated along certain coastal areas or in caves and used as fertilizer.

2. Any of various similar substances, such as a fertilizer prepared from ground fish parts.

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Etymology

Origin of guano

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Spanish: “fertilizer, dung”; Latin American Spanish huano “dung,” from Quechua wanu “dung for fuel, fertilizer”

Example Sentences

"Our evidence suggests guano was central to the Chincha Kingdom's success, with the Chincha's maritime knowledge and access to the Chincha Islands likely reframing their strategic importance in the region."

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

Their guano, or dung, can also be used as fertilizer.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2024

The seabirds' droppings, known as guano, carry nitrogen and phosphorus, important nutrients that leach into the surrounding seas fertilising surrounding coral reef environments.

From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2024

Black and white colobus monkeys also fed on the guano 65 times, and red duiker antelopes licked it 682 times.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 22, 2024

It was the one where Kehaar used to shelter and the lobby at the mouth was still cluttered with guano.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• compost
• droppings
• dung
• excrement
• mulch