-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
parotid gland
noun
: a serous salivary gland situated on each side of the face below and in front of the ear
Examples of parotid gland in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In this disorder, nerves regenerate after damage to either of the large saliva glands that sit on either side of the face, just in front of the ears, called the parotid glands.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Sep. 2024
Anatomy quirk Seven years before that doctor's appointment, the woman had undergone surgery to remove the parotid gland on that side of her face due to the growth of a benign tumor.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Sep. 2024
Mumps symptoms include discomfort and swelling of the salivary glands in the front of the neck or the parotid glands in front of the ears.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2019
Grunewald had surgery for the first time in her life, in which doctors removed the tumor in her parotid gland.
—Samantha Bresnahan, CNN, 14 Mar. 2018
Mumps can cause serious complications Mumps is a viral illness that affects the saliva-producing glands (called the parotid glands) in the face and neck.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health.com, 7 Mar. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parotid gland.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1759, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near parotid gland
Cite this Entry
“Parotid gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parotid%20gland. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
parotid gland
noun
: either of a pair of large salivary glands located below and in front of the ear
Medical Definition
parotid gland
noun
: a salivary gland that is situated on each side of the face below and in front of the ear, in humans is the largest of the salivary glands, is of pure serous type, and communicates with the mouth by the parotid duct
More from Merriam-Webster on parotid gland
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parotid gland
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share