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 Top Causes of Death In all three years, the top 10 leading causes of death were heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and COVID-19. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024

Additionally, Native Americans and Alaska Natives die at higher rates than other Americans from a variety of causes, including tuberculosis, alcoholism, diabetes, unintentional injuries, liver disease and chronic lower respiratory diseases. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Death rates from diabetes, kidney disease and chronic liver disease decreased more than 5%, while decreases for cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases and Alzheimer’s disease were smaller. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Consuming large quantities of cinnamon may also cause your dog to have low blood sugar or liver disease, and could lead to vomiting, diarrhea and changes in heart rate, the Pet Poison Helpline warns. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 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