# sputum

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈspjutəm/ · frequency rank #63,267

## Definitions
1. Matter coughed up and expectorated from the mouth, composed of saliva and discharges from the respiratory passages such as mucus, phlegm or pus.

## Etymology
From New Latin, from Latin sputum (“that which is spit out, spittle”), from spuere (“to spit”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sputum