liver

1 of 2

noun (1)

liv·​er ˈli-vər How to pronounce liver (audio)
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 How to pronounce liver (audio)
1
: one that lives especially in a specified way
a fast liver
2

Examples of liver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
According to the woman, the baby had issues with his lungs and minor issues with his heart and liver but she was told those would be better with time. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025 Why a Family Would Decline an Autopsy: Legal Expert Weighs In After Michelle Trachtenberg's Sudden Death (Exclusive) Trachtenberg — who recently had undergone a liver transplant — was found dead in New York City on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025 The most reason that people usually need liver transplants is cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025 The knife damaged soft tissue, muscles, the upper and lower lobes of his right lungs, the right lobe of his liver, his diaphragm, the ribs, the thymus gland and the heart itself, Arangelovich said. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for liver

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of liver was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Liver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liver. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

liver

1 of 2 noun
liv·​er ˈliv-ər How to pronounce liver (audio)
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 How to pronounce liver (audio)
: one that lives especially in a specified way

Medical Definition

liver

noun
liv·​er ˈliv-ər How to pronounce liver (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on liver

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