What does urinary mean?
Urinary is an adjective meaning relating to urine or to the urinary system, the organs and processes that produce, store, and eliminate urine. It occurs in established medical expressions such as urinary tract, urinary system, urinary infection, and urinary incontinence. The word is formal but familiar, appearing in health information, clinical discussion, and everyday references to conditions such as bladder infections and incontinence. Unlike the noun urine, which names the liquid waste produced by the kidneys, urinary describes the system, its functions, or anything connected with them. Its Latin-derived formation is reflected in related words including urinate, ureter, and urethra. In general writing, urinary is especially appropriate when precision is needed about bodily processes or medical conditions; in casual conversation, terms such as urine-related may sometimes be used instead.
adjectiveRelating to or concerning urine or the urinary system, the organs and processes involved in producing and eliminating urine.
- Relating to or concerning urine or the urinary system.
"The patient was treated for a urinary tract infection."
"Her doctor explained that the urinary infection would require antibiotics."
"The study examined urinary function in older adults."
The word urinary carries a surprisingly literal history: it comes from the same Latin root as urine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does urinary come from?
Urinary entered English through French urinaire, which was derived from Latin urinarius, meaning “pertaining to urine.” Latin urina, meaning “urine,” is also the source of English urine and urinate and underlies related medical terms such as ureter and urethra. The adjective was established in English by the early 17th century and has continued to be used especially in medical and scientific writing.
How urinary is actually used
Chiefly used in medical, biological, and health-related contexts. It is standard in both British and American English.
Easily confused with urinary
Urine is the liquid waste itself, whereas urinary is an adjective relating to urine or the urinary system.