urine

noun

ˈyər-ən How to pronounce urine (audio)
ˈyu̇r-
: waste material that is secreted by the kidney in vertebrates, is rich in end products of protein metabolism together with salts and pigments, and forms a clear amber and usually slightly acid fluid in mammals but is semisolid in birds and reptiles
urinous
ˈyər-ə-nəs How to pronounce urine (audio)
ˈyu̇r-
adjective

Examples of urine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The urine of the women who get UTIs also contained a neuropeptide that’s made when neurons are activated. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 An endocrinologist may ask a patient to collect their urine over 24 hours to measure the levels of cortisol, ACTH, and other key hormones. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 29 Feb. 2024 Pilots had their urine tested for weeks before and after the tests to check melatonin levels, which affects sleep. Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Of the urine samples containing fentanyl analyzed in the report, 17% also contained heroin and 7% showed the presence of prescription opioids. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024 Her lawyers said she was left lying in her own urine on the floor of a cell as jail employees, apparently dismissing her as being drunk, taunted her. Mike Baker, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Other tests, of urine and of silicone wristbands worn by people in the community, are still outstanding. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024 From there, she was placed in a cell, where she was found at one point in a puddle of her own urine, her lawyers said. Mike Baker, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 The woman’s house was covered in urine and was infested with cockroaches and other bugs, officials said. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin urina, from urinari to dive; akin to Sanskrit vār water and perhaps to Sanskrit varṣati it rains, Greek ourein to urinate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urine was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near urine

Cite this Entry

“Urine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

urine

noun
: waste material that is secreted by the kidneys, is rich in the end products of protein breakdown, and is usually a yellowish liquid in mammals but semisolid in birds and reptiles

Medical Definition

urine

noun
: waste material that is secreted by the kidney, is rich in end products (as urea, uric acid, and creatinine) of protein metabolism together with salts and pigments, and forms a clear amber and usually slightly acid fluid

More from Merriam-Webster on urine

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