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—
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Examples 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 list of ailments shown to have been relieved by therapeutic fasting is long: rheumatism, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, angina, asthma, hypertension, skin diseases, kidney and gallbladder infections, periodontitis, glaucoma and migraines.
—Bill Prince, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
The company hopes it can be used to treat cancer of the lungs, kidneys and breasts.
—John Dorfman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Kidney and liver function tests: These blood tests measure how well the liver and kidneys function.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 1 Nov. 2024
Woods was hospitalized for days after the incident with, his attorneys said, a ruptured kidney and head injuries.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
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Bill Prince, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
The company hopes it can be used to treat cancer of the lungs, kidneys and breasts.
—John Dorfman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Kidney and liver function tests: These blood tests measure how well the liver and kidneys function.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 1 Nov. 2024
Woods was hospitalized for days after the incident with, his attorneys said, a ruptured kidney and head injuries.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidney
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Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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
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