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
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
Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
Inside the funnel of a Thaumelodone octopus is a small saliva gland, but in this case the gland was comparatively huge, wrapping its way around the entire interior of the funnel.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 25 May 2026
When spiders produce silk, the glands in their abdomen alter water content, control acidity, align proteins, and effectively reorganize molecular bonds.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 May 2026
Heat can cause the oil-producing glands in your scalp to kick into overdrive.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gland
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
When the external environment reaches above 25 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the brain’s hypothalamus instructs the glands to release sweat.
—Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
Inside the funnel of a Thaumelodone octopus is a small saliva gland, but in this case the gland was comparatively huge, wrapping its way around the entire interior of the funnel.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 25 May 2026
When spiders produce silk, the glands in their abdomen alter water content, control acidity, align proteins, and effectively reorganize molecular bonds.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 May 2026
Heat can cause the oil-producing glands in your scalp to kick into overdrive.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gland
Cite this Entry
“Gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gland. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gland
noun1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
