gland

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈgland 

1

a

: a specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body compare endocrine gland, exocrine gland

b

: any of various animal structures suggestive of glands though not secretory in function

2

: any of various secreting organs (such as a nectary) of plants

glandless

ˈgland-ləs 

adjective

gland

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: a device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint in machinery

2

: the movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed

Examples of gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones which control many of our body’s basic functions, such as metabolism, growth and reproduction. —Andrea Kane, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

Asian women like Huang have a higher prevalence of dense breasts, meaning there are more glands and tissue than fat, than women of other races, likely due to genetic factors and lower body mass indexes, experts say. —Claire Wang, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024

The meibomian glands—which produce tears to lubricate the eyes—also became permanently scarred. —Stella Shon, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Endocrinologist: This type of provider specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the organs and glands that produce hormones. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French glande, from Old French, glandular swelling on the neck, gland, ultimately from Latin gland-, glans acorn; akin to Greek balanos acorn

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gland

• adrenal gland
• apocrine gland
• Bartholin's gland
• bulbourethral gland
• Cowper's gland
• digestive gland
• ductless gland
• eccrine gland
• eccrine sweat gland
• endocrine gland
• exocrine gland
• gastric gland
• green gland
• lymph gland
• mammary gland
• oil gland
• parathyroid gland
• parotid gland
• pineal gland
• pituitary gland
• prostate gland
• prothoracic gland
• salivary gland
• salt gland
• sebaceous gland
• sex gland
• silk gland
• suprarenal gland
• sweat gland
• thymus gland
• uropygial gland

Kids Definition

gland

noun

ˈgland

: a cell or group of cells that makes and secretes a product (as saliva, sweat, bile, or shell) for further use in or for elimination from the plant or animal body

Medical Definition

gland

noun

ˈgland 

1

: a cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body

2

: any of various animal structures (as a lymph node) suggestive of glands though not secretory in function

glandless

ˈglan-dləs 

adjective