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.

---

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

---

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

"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

Exposure to heat, with the perspiration that follows, eventually calls for hydration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

The polygraph exam uses a device strapped to a subject’s body to measure physiological responses like heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration as the person answers yes-or-no questions.

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2025

Against New Zealand, they were heavy on perspiration, but light on inspiration.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2024

At the cooling station, I take giant swigs from my water bottle, then wet the bandanna I use to wipe the salt and perspiration off my grimy face.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed