kidney

noun

kid·​ney ˈkid-nē How to pronounce kidney (audio)
plural kidneys
1
a
: one of a pair of vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism, in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4¹/₂ inches (11¹/₂ centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged into a main cavity from which it is conveyed by the ureter to the bladder
b
: any of various excretory organs of invertebrate animals
2
: the kidney of an animal eaten as food
3
: sort or kind especially with regard to temperament
a nice helpful guy, of a different kidney entirely from the … Secret PolicePaula Lecler

Examples of kidney in a Sentence

a patient with a damaged kidney her new boyfriend is of a different kidney than what she usually dates
Recent Examples on the Web Some people may develop serious kidney problems and need to be hospitalized. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024 Although most people who become ill recover without treatment within a week, others can develop serious kidney problems and require hospitalization. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024 Creatine is a chemical compound stored in your muscles and in smaller amounts in the brain, liver, kidneys, and testes. Merve Ceylan, Health, 23 Oct. 2024 Listeria recall expands to nearly 12 million pounds of meat, hits US schools Ten people have been hospitalized, including a child with complications from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) -- a disease that affects the kidneys. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kidney 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kidney.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidney was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near kidney

Cite this Entry

“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kidney

noun
kid·​ney ˈkid-nē How to pronounce kidney (audio)
plural kidneys
1
: either of a pair of oval to bean-shaped organs located in the back part of the abdomen near the spine that give off waste products in the form of urine
2
: an organ of an invertebrate animal that gives off waste

Medical Definition

kidney

noun
kid·​ney ˈkid-nē How to pronounce kidney (audio)
plural kidneys
1
: one of a pair of vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism, in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4¹/₂ inches (11¹/₂ centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged into the renal pelvis whence it is conveyed by the ureter to the bladder compare mesonephros, metanephros, pronephros
2
: any of various excretory organs of invertebrate animals

More from Merriam-Webster on kidney

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