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
Serrano, who shares 28-year-old daughter Mayan with Lopez, famously gave the actor her kidney in 2005.
—Michelle McGahan, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Early attempts used kidneys, livers and hearts from baboons, chimpanzees and other creatures.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2025
As the mercury levels increase in those people, damage may occur to their nervous system, kidneys, or even their unborn children.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025
Years later the Shakopee woman’s PKD progressed, and soon would require dialysis if a donor kidney could not be found.
—Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
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Michelle McGahan, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Early attempts used kidneys, livers and hearts from baboons, chimpanzees and other creatures.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2025
As the mercury levels increase in those people, damage may occur to their nervous system, kidneys, or even their unborn children.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025
Years later the Shakopee woman’s PKD progressed, and soon would require dialysis if a donor kidney could not be found.
—Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 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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