secretion

noun se·cre·tion \si-ˈkrē-shən\

: the production of a liquid by part of a plant or animal

: a substance produced and given off by a plant or animal part

Full Definition of SECRETION

a : the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine)

b : a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant; especially : one performing a specific useful function in the organism

[²secrete] : the act of hiding something : concealment

— se·cre·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

See secretion defined for English-language learners

See secretion defined for kids

Origin of SECRETION

French sécrétion, from Latin secretion-, secretio separation, from secernere to separate — more at secret

First Known Use: 1646

Related to SECRETION

Synonyms: caching, hiding, concealment, stashing

Antonyms: display, exhibition, exposure, parading, showing

Rhymes with SECRETION

accretion, Capetian, completion, concretion, deletion, depletion, excretion, Helvetian, Lucretian, Ossetian, Phoenician, repletion, suppletion, Tahitian, Venetian

SECRETIONARY Defined for Kids

secretion

noun se·cre·tion \si-ˈkrē-shən\

Definition of SECRETION for Kids

: the act or process of giving off a substance <the secretion of saliva by salivary glands>

: a substance formed in and given off by a gland that usually performs a useful function in the body <Digestive secretions contain enzymes.>

Medical Dictionary

secretion

noun se·cre·tion \si-ˈkrē-shən\

Medical Definition of SECRETION

: the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine)

: a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant; especially : one performing a specific useful function in the organism