: the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (such as saliva) or isolated for excretion (such as urine)
b
: a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant
especially: one performing a specific useful function in the organism
the secretion of stomach acids root secretions that repel insects
Recent Examples on the WebAnd found that the reunion with the owner stimulate tear secretion. Karen Hopkin, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2022 This suggests that the secretion of swim protein following injury is conserved in mammals. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 July 2022 In the past, the distillery produced a whiskey with the secretion from beavers’ castor sacs. Michael Casey, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2022 In the past, the distillery produced a whiskey with the secretion from beavers' castor sacs. Michael Casey, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 The right mix of protein (6 grams) to carbohydrates (30 grams) in the recovery window after a workout helps delay cortisol secretion and getting enough iron is essential to red blood cell production, regulated by naturally-occurring EPO. Kelly O'mara, Outside Online, 15 May 2014 This facial mask from LA PURE surprised us because the main active ingredient is snail secretion. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 June 2022 Some deletions were responsible for reducing insulin secretion, which is less important, thanks to the animals’ low-sugar diet. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2022 Energy-free/low-calorie sweeteners could impact anything from gut hormone secretion to intestinal motility to the microbiome (i.e., the population of microbes living in your gut). Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 7 Aug. 2020 See More
Word History
Etymology
French sécrétion, from Latin secretion-, secretio separation, from secernere to separate — more at secret