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
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those with kidney disease, thyroid disease, or high blood calcium (hypercalcemia) levels may need to avoid vitamin D supplements.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 2025
Collagen from the skin, bones, and tendons of cows is rich in type III collagen 7
Type IV: Type IV is found in the layers of skin and tissues that support your lungs, kidneys, intestines, and eyes.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 19 Mar. 2025
When his gambling debts grew too much for him, Dr. Stevens then made tens of thousands of dollars per month on the black market by stealing kidneys from unsuspecting patients.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
Morgan, who is diabetic, previously underwent a kidney transplant in 2010.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 2025
Collagen from the skin, bones, and tendons of cows is rich in type III collagen 7
Type IV: Type IV is found in the layers of skin and tissues that support your lungs, kidneys, intestines, and eyes.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 19 Mar. 2025
When his gambling debts grew too much for him, Dr. Stevens then made tens of thousands of dollars per month on the black market by stealing kidneys from unsuspecting patients.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
Morgan, who is diabetic, previously underwent a kidney transplant in 2010.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 2 Apr. 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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