definitions

secretion

[ si-kree-shuh n ]
/ sɪˈkri ʃən /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR secretion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(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.
the product of this act or process.

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RELATED WORDS

saliva, mucus, bile, excretion, flow, seepage, movement, suppuration, gum, juice, sweat, sap, milk, tears

Nearby words

secretary of defense, secretary of state, secretary-general, secrete, secretin, secretion, secretive, secretoinhibitory, secretomotor, secretor, secretory

Origin of secretion

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

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for secretion

British Dictionary definitions for secretion

secretion

/ (sɪˈkriːʃən) /

noun

a substance that is released from a cell, esp a glandular cell, and is synthesized in the cell
the process involved in producing and releasing such a substance from the cell

Derived Forms

secretionary, adjective

Word Origin for secretion

C17: from Medieval Latin sēcrētiō, from Latin: a separation; see secern
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for secretion

secretion

[ sĭ-krē′shən ]

n.

The process of secreting a substance from a cell or gland.
A substance, such as saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone, that is secreted.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for secretion

secretion

[ sĭ-krē′shən ]

The process of secreting a substance from a cell or gland.
A substance, such as saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone, that is secreted.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.