liver

1 of 2

noun (1)

liv·​er ˈli-vər 

1

a

: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood (as by converting sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required and by forming urea)

b

: any of various large compound glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate animals and probably concerned with the secretion of digestive enzymes

2

archaic : a determinant of the quality or temper of a man

3

: the liver of an animal (such as a calf or chicken) eaten as food

4

: a grayish reddish brown

called also liver brown, liver maroon

liver

2 of 2

noun (2)

liv·​er ˈli-vər 

1

: one that lives especially in a specified way

a fast liver

2

: resident

Examples of liver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And there’s more to come—researchers are studying other potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs, including lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, kidney, and liver diseases. —TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

Anticoagulant rodenticides, like those detected in Flaco, interfere with the activation of vitamin K, which produces blood-clotting factors in the liver. —Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024

Kidney and liver issues are common among people with SIRD. —Lauryn Higgins, Health, 16 Apr. 2024

Memorial Hermann voluntarily inactivates liver, kidney transplant programs While at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Bynon oversaw both the liver and kidney transplant programs, according to his bio. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Used since the 1950s to make consumer products nonstick, oil- and water-repellent and resistant to temperature change, PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, fertility issues, high cholesterol, hormone disruption, liver damage, obesity and thyroid disease. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

GenX chemicals have been shown in animal studies to damage the liver, kidneys and immune system, as well as liver and pancreatic tumors. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024

Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed by the small intestines, with any excess stored in the liver and fatty tissues. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024

Advertisement The man was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for a brain bleed, fractured left fibula and liver laceration, police said. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English lifer; akin to Old High German lebra liver

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing liver

• chopped liver
• cod-liver oil
• liver fluke
• liver pudding
• liver sausage
• liver spots

Kids Definition

liver

1 of 2 noun

liv·​er ˈliv-ər 

1

a

: a large glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes changes in the blood (as by changing sugars into glycogen and by forming urea)

b

: any of various large probably digestive glands of invertebrate animals

2

: the liver of an animal (as of a calf or chicken) eaten as food

liver

2 of 2 noun

liv·​er ˈliv-ər 

: one that lives especially in a specified way

Medical Definition

liver

noun

liv·​er ˈliv-ər 

1

a

: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood which passes through it (as by converting sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required and by forming urea), that in humans is the largest gland in the body, weighs from 40 to 60 ounces (1100 to 1700 grams), is a dark red color, and occupies the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity immediately below the diaphragm, that is divided by fissures into five lobes, and that receives blood both from the hepatic artery and the portal vein and returns it to the systemic circulation by the hepatic veins

b

: any of various large compound glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate animals and probably concerned with the secretion of digestive enzymes

2

: the liver of an animal (as a calf or pig) eaten as food or used as a source of pharmaceutical products (as liver extract)

3

: disease or disorder of the liver : biliousness