VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

exudates

noun·Advancedtechnical

Last updated

UK/ˈeksjʊdeɪts/
US/ˈeksjədeɪts/

“exudates” is a form of “exudate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounpluralmedical

    Fluids such as pus or clear liquid that slowly leak out of a wound, infected tissue or inflamed area.

    Grammar: Plural of exudate; the singular is also used as an uncountable noun for the liquid in general.

    Patterns

    • exudates from something

    Nurses check the dressing for wound exudates every morning.

    Heavy exudates from the burn soaked through the bandage.

    The lab analyzed exudates collected from the infected tissue.

  2. nounpluralbiology

    Substances such as resin, sap or gum that a plant releases through its surface or wounds.

    Grammar: Plural of exudate; used in botany to name different plant secretions.

    Patterns

    • exudates from something

    Sticky exudates from the pine bark hardened into amber-colored lumps.

    Some roots release exudates that feed bacteria in the soil.

    Beekeepers note that bees collect plant exudates to make propolis.

Word forms

singularexudate

Common combinations

wound exudates
Dressings are designed to absorb wound exudates.
purulent exudates
The swab showed purulent exudates around the stitches.
plant exudates
Gum arabic is made from plant exudates.
inflammatory exudates
Inflammatory exudates collected in the lung.
collect exudates
The doctor collected exudates for testing.

Synonyms and how they differ

discharge
Discharge is a plainer, everyday medical word, while exudates sounds more technical and describes the fluid's source in tissue.
secretions
Secretions are produced by glands on purpose, whereas exudates seep out of damaged or inflamed tissue.
pus
Pus is only one kind of exudate, thick and yellowish, while exudates can also be clear or bloody.
ooze
Ooze is an informal word for a slow leak, not a technical term.

Word family

exudate noun
singular form of the fluid
exude verb
to slowly give off a liquid or a quality
exudation noun
the process of oozing out
exudative adjective
producing or relating to exudate

Commonly confused: exudates or transudate?

exudates vs transudate

A transudate is a thin, clear fluid pushed through vessel walls, whereas exudates are protein-rich and come from inflamed tissue.

Practice

The nurse changed the dressing because it had absorbed too many ___ from the wound.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “exudates”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words