poop

¹ American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

1. a superstructure at the stern of a vessel.

2. poop deck.

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verb (used with object)

1. (of a wave) to break over the stern of (a ship).

2. to take (seas) over the stern.

poop ² American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

Slang.

1. excrement.

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verb (used without object)

Slang.

1. to defecate.

poop ³ American  

[poop] / pup /

verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to cause to become out of breath or fatigued; exhaust.

   Climbing that mountain pooped the whole group.

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verb phrase

1. poop out

   1. to cease from or fail in something, as from fear or exhaustion.

      When the time for action came, they all pooped out and went home instead.

   2. to break down; stop functioning.

      The heater has pooped out again.

poop ⁴ American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

Slang.

1. relevant information, especially a candid or pertinent factual report; lowdown.

   Send a reporter to get the real poop on that accident.

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poop ⁵ American  

[poop] / pup /

noun

Slang.

1. a stupid, fussy, or boring person.

2. party pooper.

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poop ¹ British  

/ puːp /

noun

1. a raised structure at the stern of a vessel, esp a sailing ship

2. See poop deck

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verb

1. (tr) (of a wave or sea) to break over the stern of (a vessel)

2. (intr) (of a vessel) to ship a wave or sea over the stern, esp repeatedly

poop ² British  

/ puːp /

noun

1. slang

   1. information; the facts

   2. ( as modifier )

      a poop sheet

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poop ³ British  

/ puːp /

verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to cause to become exhausted; tire

   he was pooped after the race

2. to give up or fail, esp through tiredness

   he pooped out of the race

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poop ⁴ British  

/ puːp /

verb

1. to defecate

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noun

1. faeces; excrement

Etymology

Origin of poop¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English pouppe, from Middle French, from Latin puppis “stern of a ship”

Origin of poop²

First recorded in 1735–45; earlier “to break wind,” probably the same word as Middle English powpen, popen “to sound or blow a horn”; uncertain if poop ³ ( def. ) and poop ⁴ ( def. ) are sense developments or parallel expressive coinages

Origin of poop³

First recorded in 1885–90; perhaps to be identified with poop ²

Origin of poop⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; origin uncertain; originally military slang; cf. poop sheet

Origin of poop⁵

First recorded in 1910–15; perhaps shortening of nincompoop

Explanation

Poop is a somewhat childish word for feces. When used as a verb, it means going number two. Poop is a very commonly used slang word that means feces and is far more acceptable than crap and shit. The only downside is that talking about pooping or poop sounds kind of silly. Still, no one will blink if you say "I need to take a poop" or "Go clean up your dog's poop!" There are a few other unrelated meanings — like the rear "poop deck" of a ship and "the poop", meaning the inside information on something.

Example Sentences

So, I actually haven’t come across too much dog poop.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

"The question is, are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop, you know?," she said.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

"Are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop?" said Poland's Swiatek, who lost in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

They have power-washed bird poop, rebuilt rusted railings — and, in one epic feat, replaced the lantern room, suspending the original dome from a helicopter and flying it to shore.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2025

Because food and poop are the truest things about you.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

• facts
• information
• intelligence
• lowdown
• news
• tea