fecal

adjective

fe·​cal ˈfē-kəl How to pronounce fecal (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting feces

Examples of fecal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Researchers analyzed fecal samples from Parkinson’s patients alongside matched healthy controls and found consistent differences between the two groups. Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026 Coliform bacteria is an intestinal bacteria found in warm-blooded mammals that can grow from fecal bacteria and cause illness in people, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026 While she’s only been linked to one, residents say the fecal vandal is responsible for multiple incidents. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 The harbor’s initial test cannot distinguish between fecal matter from humans and from marine life such as the sea lions in the harbor. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fecal

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin faecālis, from Latin faec-, faex "wine lees, tartar, dregs" (Medieval Latin also "excrement") + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fecal was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fecal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fecal. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

Medical Definition

fecal

adjective
fe·​cal
variants or chiefly British faecal
: of, relating to, or constituting feces
fecal incontinence
fecal matter
fecally adverb
or chiefly British faecally

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