glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

b

: having the characteristics or function of a gland

2

a

: innate, inherent

the almost glandular … instinct for adventure and romance

—Newsweek

b

: physical, sexual

glandularly adverb

Examples of glandular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Women with dense breasts have more glandular tissue, making mammograms harder to interpret and increasing breast cancer risk. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2024

Breast density refers to the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue in the breast compared to fatty tissue. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2024

Rather than having mostly fatty tissue, dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissue, which looks white on a mammogram. —Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Sep. 2024

In a strike, the animal releases a toxin from glandular cells at the base of one of the barbs. —Katharine Gammon, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing glandular

• glandular fever

Kids Definition

glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

glandular activity

2

: having the traits or activities of a gland

glandular tissue

glandularly adverb

Medical Definition

glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

2

: having the characteristics or function of a gland

glandular tissue