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

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

The EU has already defined dairy items as products coming from the "normal mammary secretion".

From BBC

In theory, each ingredient plays a role: one dries secretions, another loosens phlegm, a third dulls the cough reflex.

From BBC

"And we didn't see excess mucus secretions ... so we also just immediately knew that we weren't stressing out the animals."

From Salon

Related Words

• bile
• mucus
• saliva