secretion

[si-kree-shuhn]

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.

secretion

/ 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

secretion

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of secretion¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of secretion¹

C17: from Medieval Latin sēcrētiō, from Latin: a separation; see _secern

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

The devastating viral infection, carried by wild birds, spreads primarily through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact and can also be contracted by mammals that ingest birds or other products.

From BBC

The drug's overall effect is to promote a feeling of fullness or "satiety," which reduces the desire for food and to boost insulin secretion, which reduces glucose levels in the blood.

From Science Daily

The increased presence of Inceptor in beta cells suggests that the receptor plays a role in insulin secretion, which is regulated by beta cells.

From Science Daily

"We already see that they play a role in protein secretion, which has major implications for physiology, and it suggests a path forward to study hundreds of other snoRNAs."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• bile 
• mucus 
• saliva