Perspiration: meaning, definitions and examples

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perspiration

[ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

physical activity

The process of sweating, typically as a result of heat or physical exertion. Perspiration is the body's way of regulating temperature by releasing moisture through the skin's pores.

Synonyms

sweat, sweatiness, sweating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
perspiration	Use in formal contexts, medical or technical discussions. The athlete's perspiration levels were monitored closely during the training session The doctor mentioned an increase in perspiration could be a sign of an underlying condition
sweat	Commonly used in casual conversations, everyday language and in expressions related to effort, stress, or heat. I was drenched in sweat after the intense workout Don’t sweat the small stuff
sweating	Refers to the act of sweating, commonly used when describing the action or ongoing process of releasing sweat. He was sweating profusely under the harsh lights Sweating is a natural way for the body to cool down
sweatiness	Descriptive term often used when talking about the state of being sweaty, typically has a more negative or uncomfortable connotation. The sweatiness of his palms made him more nervous during the interview Her sweatiness was evident after running in the hot sun

Examples of usage

After running a few miles, I was covered in perspiration.
The intense workout caused profuse perspiration.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

formal

The act or process of excreting moisture through the pores of the skin.

Synonyms

sudation, sweating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
perspiration	Suitable for medical or formal contexts where the biological process of sweating is discussed. The doctor noted that excessive perspiration might be a symptom of an underlying condition
sweating	Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the body's response to heat or physical exertion. After running for an hour, he was sweating heavily
sudation	Rarely used, mainly found in scientific or specialized medical texts. Not commonly used in everyday language. The researchers observed sudation as a response to the administered drug

Word

Description / Examples

perspiration

Suitable for medical or formal contexts where the biological process of sweating is discussed.

The doctor noted that excessive perspiration might be a symptom of an underlying condition

sweating

Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the body's response to heat or physical exertion.

After running for an hour, he was sweating heavily

sudation

Rarely used, mainly found in scientific or specialized medical texts. Not commonly used in everyday language.

The researchers observed sudation as a response to the administered drug

Examples of usage

The doctor noted an increase in the patient's perspiration during the examination.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'perspirare' which means 'to breathe through.'
It has been used in English since the early 15th century, with its meaning evolving from 'to cause to breathe.'

Science

Sweating helps regulate the body's temperature by releasing heat through moisture.
Perspiration consists mostly of water, but also contains salts and small amounts of other substances like urea.
On average, a person can lose about 1 liter of sweat per hour during intense activity.

Health

Regular sweating through exercise can help improve skin health by clearing out pores.
Dehydration can occur if too much fluid is lost through perspiration without replacement, highlighting the importance of hydration.
Certain medical conditions can lead to excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, which can affect daily life.

Culture

In some cultures, sweating is seen as a sign of hard work and dedication, especially in physical labor.
Saunas, popular in Finland and other cultures, use heat to induce sweating, believed to have health benefits.

Psychology

Sweating can be a response to stress or anxiety, sometimes even leading to social situations that trigger nervous sweating.
The discomfort associated with perspiration can affect self-esteem, often leading people to seek anti-perspirant products.

Translations

Translations of the word "perspiration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 suor

🇮🇳 पसीना

🇩🇪 Schweiß

🇮🇩 keringat

🇺🇦 піт

🇵🇱 pot

🇯🇵 汗

🇫🇷 sueur

🇪🇸 sudor

🇹🇷 ter

🇰🇷 땀

🇸🇦 عرق

🇨🇿 pot

🇸🇰 pot

🇨🇳 汗

🇸🇮 pot

🇮🇸 sviti

🇰🇿 тер

🇬🇪 საფარი

🇦🇿 tər

🇲🇽 sudor

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,374, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14371 mournful
14372 quitted
14373 exacted
14374 perspiration
14375 tween
14376 epithet
14377 irreducible
...