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

The announcement comes 20 years since the chain closed after an outbreak of hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver infection, was linked to a Chi-Chi's restaurant at a mall in Monaca, a borough just outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

The study authors believe the orcas are plundering the whale shark’s large and nutrient-rich liver, which makes up a significant amount of the shark’s body weight,but the researchers didn’t observe the orcas consuming the organ. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

Jillian is dying of liver cancer and her one wish is to find a suitable home for her dog, Carl. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Nov. 2024

People who undergo weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) often develop gallstones because rapid weight loss can trigger the liver to release extra cholesterol in bile and prevent the gallbladder from emptying efficiently. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Nov. 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