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
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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
Surveys after the Lahaina wildfires in 2023 found that residents exposed to smoke and ash experienced increases in heart, kidney, and mental health issues.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
Frazier gave Ali the worst beating of his life, slamming his midsection, round after round, with blows meant to send his kidneys and heart into unbearable anguish.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Sleep duration and risk of mortality from chronic kidney disease among Japanese adults.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
But long-term use can increase the risk of serious medical conditions, such as an impaired immune system, greater likelihood of bone fractures and chronic kidney disease.
—David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
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Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
Frazier gave Ali the worst beating of his life, slamming his midsection, round after round, with blows meant to send his kidneys and heart into unbearable anguish.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Sleep duration and risk of mortality from chronic kidney disease among Japanese adults.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
But long-term use can increase the risk of serious medical conditions, such as an impaired immune system, greater likelihood of bone fractures and chronic kidney disease.
—David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
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 24 Jan. 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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