Dung Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dung

[dสŒล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

animal waste

Dung is the excrement of animals. It is often used as fertilizer in agriculture.

Synonyms

droppings, excrement, manure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dung

Most often used in agricultural or natural settings to refer to animal feces. It can also be used in a more scientific or biological context.

  • The farmer collected cow dung to use as fertilizer.
  • In the wild, dung beetles play a vital role in disposing of dung.
manure

Refers specifically to animal dung used to fertilize soil. Commonly used in agricultural contexts and discussions about farming.

  • The farmer spread manure over the fields to enrich the soil.
  • Organic farmers often use manure instead of chemical fertilizers.
excrement

A more formal and scientific term for waste matter discharged from the bowels. Often used in medical, biological, or environmental studies.

  • The scientists studied the excrement of various animal species.
  • Human excrement can be a source of disease if not properly managed.
droppings

Typically used when referring to the feces of birds or small animals. Itโ€™s a more general term and can be used in everyday conversation without sounding too formal.

  • We found bird droppings on our car this morning.
  • Mouse droppings are a sign of an infestation.

Examples of usage

  • Farmers use dung to enrich the soil and improve crop growth.
  • The dung beetle rolls balls of dung to feed its larvae.
Context #2 | Noun

rubbish or waste

Dung can also refer to rubbish or waste material, especially in a derogatory sense.

Synonyms

garbage, rubbish, trash.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dung

Dung is used to refer to animal waste, often in agricultural settings or when talking about fertilizer.

  • The farmers spread cow dung on the fields to improve soil fertility
garbage

Garbage is commonly used in American English to describe waste or unwanted material, typically referring to what is thrown away in a dumpster or trash can.

  • Take out the garbage before it starts to smell
  • The streets were littered with garbage after the parade
trash

Trash is used in American English similar to garbage, referring to waste material or things that are discarded. It can also mean to physically wreck something or to insult someone.

  • The trash is collected every Tuesday morning
  • The vandals trashed the park, leaving it in a terrible state
  • She felt hurt by the way he trashed her ideas
rubbish

Rubbish is typically used in British English to refer to waste material or something that is not useful. It can also mean something of very poor quality or nonsensical.

  • Please put the rubbish in the bin
  • His arguments were dismissed as complete rubbish

Examples of usage

  • He was living in a house full of dung and filth.
  • The streets were littered with dung and debris.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agricultural Science

  • Used for centuries, dung is rich in nutrients that can help plants flourish.
  • Organic farming often employs dung as a natural fertilizer, promoting healthier soil and crops.

Environmental Impact

  • When managed properly, dung can contribute to sustainable farming practices and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
  • Excessive dung runoff can pollute waterways, but when composted, it can help create valuable organic soil.

Cultural Significance

  • In some cultures, dried dung is used as fuel for cooking and heating due to its combustion properties.
  • Historically, dung played a role in early construction; some cultures mixed it with mud for building bricks.

Animal Behavior

  • Animals often use dung as a way to communicate, marking their territory and letting others know their presence.
  • Certain insects, particularly dung beetles, are specially adapted to roll and use dung, highlighting its ecological importance.

Origin of 'dung'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from Old English 'dung,' which means 'manure' or 'excrement'.
  • Many languages have similar words; for instance, 'dung' in German is 'Dung' and in Dutch, itโ€™s 'dung'.

The word 'dung' originated from the Old English word 'dyng,' which referred to animal excrement. Over time, it evolved to encompass other forms of waste and rubbish. Dung has been used for centuries as a natural fertilizer in agriculture, contributing to the growth of crops and plants.


See also: dungeon.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,342, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.