perspiration

American  

[pur-spuh-rey-shuhn] / ˈpɜr spəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• perspirations
  plural

1. a salty, watery fluid secreted by the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat.

2. the act or process of perspiring.

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perspiration British  

/ ˌpɜːspəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of insensibly eliminating fluid through the pores of the skin, which evaporates immediately

2. the sensible elimination of fluid through the pores of the skin, which is visible as droplets on the skin

3. the salty fluid secreted through the pores of the skin; sweat

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Synonym Usage

Perspiration, sweat refer primarily to moisture exuded by animals and people from the pores of the skin. Perspiration is often regarded as the more polite word, and is often used overfastidiously by those who consider sweat coarse; but sweat is a strong word and in some cases obviously more appropriate: a light perspiration; the sweat of his brow. Sweat is always used when referring to animals or objects: Sweat drips from a horse's flanks. It may also be used metaphorically of objects: Sweat forms on apples after they are gathered.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• perspirations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of perspiration

First recorded in 1605–15, in sense “a breathing through”; 1620–30 for current senses; from New Latin perspīrātiōn- (stem of perspīrātiō ) “imperceptible sweating,” literally, “a breathing through.” See perspire, -ation

Explanation

Perspiration is a polite name for "sweat." Perspiration is what makes you dread gym class and what keeps deodorant manufacturers in business. Let's face it, sweat is kind of gross — it drips down your face and can even make your body smell badly. But, it doesn't sound so bad if you refer to it as perspiration, does it? Still, perspiration means that salty fluid secreted by your sweat glands, when your body is hot. Perspiration can also be used to mean the process of sweating.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

perspiration perspirations

Your skin is slightly shining from perspiration, but you barely feel the heat because you get to enjoy the cold deliciousness of a frozen yogurt pop.

From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026

"There are even some rather moving, rather touching details -- namely, its silk lining shows clear signs of perspiration," he said.

From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026

He begins “Hotwired” with an accessible tour through the biology and evolutionary history of perspiration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 16, 2026

When she hits, she’s hilarious: An extended bit about leaving a puddle of her perspiration on a piece of gym equipment involves James Cameron developing a submersible to get to the bottom of it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2025

In the folds of skin at the back of his neck were beads of perspiration.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

His lordship was in the garden, where Woodward found him in hobnailed shoes, digging himself into what he called his daily perspirations.

From The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by William Carleton

In spite, however, of the profuse perspirations from which he suffered, Ben Zoof, constant to his principles, expressed no surprise at the unwonted heat.

From Off on a Comet! a Journey through Planetary Space by Jules Verne

I have tried walking nine miles a day, thus getting up free perspirations.

From The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28 The Independent Health Magazine by Charles William Daniel

Of bad omen are intense hectic fever, incessant cough with abundant nummular sputa, copious perspirations, diarrhoea, breathing growing shorter and shorter, and extreme emaciation and debility.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

The heat which they maintain about the body is inconvenient and dangerous, predisposing to flooding and exhausting perspirations.

From The Physical Life of Woman: Advice to the Maiden, Wife and Mother by George H. (George Henry) Napheys