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
Articles Related to kidney
Dictionary Entries Near kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 28 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
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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