Sweat is a liquid produced by glands in the skin. It is composed mainly of water, salts and other minerals that are released from the body through small pores on the surface of the skin. Sweating is an essential process for regulating body temperature and maintaining homeostasis. When we exercise or experience high temperatures, our bodies produce more sweat to cool down by evaporative heat loss. The term "sweat" can also be used figuratively to describe hard work or effort put into something.