Manure: meaning, definitions and examples

Manure is animal waste used to enrich soil. It's commonly used in traditional and organic farming.

• Farmers spread manure on the fields before planting crops.
• The smell of manure filled the air on the farm.

Fertilizer is a broad term that includes both organic and chemical substances added to soil to supply nutrients for plant growth.

• The gardener used a high-nitrogen fertilizer to boost plant growth.
• Chemical fertilizers can harm the environment if used excessively.

Dung is animal feces, typically from large animals like cows and horses. It can be used similarly to manure but often has a more negative connotation.

• The barn was cleaned daily to remove the dung.
• Dung beetles thrive in environments with ample animal waste.

Compost is decomposed organic material like food scraps and yard waste. It's used in gardening to improve soil quality.

• She added kitchen scraps to the compost bin.
• The rich compost helped the garden thrive.

Typically used in an agricultural or gardening context when referring to animal waste used to fertilize soil.

• Farmers often spread manure on their fields to enrich the soil.
• Organic gardening enthusiasts prefer manure over chemical fertilizers.

Used similarly to 'manure,' often referring to animal waste in a natural or agricultural setting, but sometimes viewed as a bit more blunt or less formal.

• Elephant dung is often found in large quantities in their natural habitats.
• Many ancient civilizations used animal dung as a building material.

Commonly used in reference to the waste of smaller animals or birds, often in a casual or non-technical context.

• The ground was covered with bird droppings after the flock flew away.
• You need to clean up the droppings from the cage regularly if you have a pet bird.

A more scientific or medical term for waste products produced by living organisms. Often used in formal or technical contexts.

• The medical team examined the patient's excrement for signs of infection.
• Animal excrement can tell veterinarians a lot about an animal's health.