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 Police—
Paula Lecler
Paula LeclerExamples 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
The numbers are even worse for diabetes, the top cause of heart attacks and kidney failure.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Pope Francis, 88, was resting Monday morning, his 10th day at Rome's Gemelli Hospital for a complex lung infection that led to the early stages of kidney insufficiency, according to the Vatican.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
He's also had blood tests that revealed mild kidney issues described as under control.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Blood tests indicated the early stages of kidney failure, the Vatican said, but also showed that Francis’ anemia had improved.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
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Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Pope Francis, 88, was resting Monday morning, his 10th day at Rome's Gemelli Hospital for a complex lung infection that led to the early stages of kidney insufficiency, according to the Vatican.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
He's also had blood tests that revealed mild kidney issues described as under control.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Blood tests indicated the early stages of kidney failure, the Vatican said, but also showed that Francis’ anemia had improved.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
Articles Related to kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kidney
noun
kid·ney
ˈkid-nē 
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
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
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