secretion

American  

[si-kree-shuhn] / sɪˈkri ʃən /

noun

1. (in a cell or gland) the act or process of separating, elaborating, and releasing a substance that fulfills some function within the organism or undergoes excretion.

2. the product of this act or process.

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secretion British  

/ sɪˈkriːʃən /

noun

1. a substance that is released from a cell, esp a glandular cell, and is synthesized in the cell

2. the process involved in producing and releasing such a substance from the cell

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secretion Scientific  

/ sĭ-krē′shən /

1. The process of secreting a substance from a cell or gland.

2. A substance, such as saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone, that is secreted.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsecretion noun
• nonsecretionary adjective
• oversecretion noun
• secretionary adjective
• supersecretion noun

Etymology

Origin of secretion

1640–50; < Latin sēcrētiōn- (stem of sēcrētiō ), equivalent to sēcrēt ( us ) (past participle of sēcernere to secern ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The team found that many common, non-harmful gut bacteria carry type III secretion systems.

From Science Daily

Instead, they travel along environmental and host surfaces using a specialized machine known as the type 9 secretion system, or T9SS.

From Science Daily

The study appears in Science Advances under the title "A long-term ketogenic diet causes hyperlipidemia, liver dysfunction, and glucose intolerance from impaired insulin secretion in mice."

From Science Daily

At the same time, genes essential for normal liver function, including those involved in metabolism and protein secretion, were gradually shut down.

From Science Daily

Future research could also explore how to safely boost CtBP2 secretion in the bloodstream to slow age-related decline and improve overall well-being.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• bile
• mucus
• saliva