excretory
adjective
ex·cre·to·ry
ˈek-skrə-ˌtȯr-ē 
: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion
excretory ducts
Examples of excretory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The neural juices then slosh around, accumulate beta-amyloid gunk, and flow out through specialized waste-removal channels before eventually getting eliminated through the body’s excretory pathways.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024
For instance, the three toed sloth’s digestive system is so lethargic that the animals only need to descend from their trees once a week for their excretory endeavors.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024
Some species were so thoroughly coated in armor that even the openings for their reproductive and excretory tracts had spikes around them.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023
So the scientists further tested the parrotfish’s response by injecting lionfish and grouper effluent—an excretory soup from the predators’ water—into their tanks.
—Lesley Evans Ogden, Scientific American, 19 May 2020
IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024
For instance, the three toed sloth’s digestive system is so lethargic that the animals only need to descend from their trees once a week for their excretory endeavors.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024
Some species were so thoroughly coated in armor that even the openings for their reproductive and excretory tracts had spikes around them.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023
So the scientists further tested the parrotfish’s response by injecting lionfish and grouper effluent—an excretory soup from the predators’ water—into their tanks.
—Lesley Evans Ogden, Scientific American, 19 May 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excretory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1681, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near excretory
Cite this Entry
“Excretory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excretory. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
excretory
adjective
ex·cre·to·ry
ˈek-skrə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion
kidneys are excretory organs
Medical Definition
excretory
adjective
ex·cre·to·ry
ˈek-skrə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-
: of, relating to, or functioning in excretion
excretory ducts
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