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
Paula LeclerSynonyms
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
The American Cancer Society identifies it as a factor in 40% of all cancer cases and 50% of cancer deaths, with clear links to malignancies of the uterus, esophagus, kidney, liver and gallbladder.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
This can increase your risk for side effects caused by statins, including liver damage, muscle pain and breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), and kidney failure.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 9 Dec. 2024
Hear what residents are arguing about Even at small concentrations, TCE exposure is also known to cause cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, problems with the nervous system and the immune system, reproductive problems, liver and kidney damage and other significant health issues.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
For example, diabetes is a chronic illness that can damage the heart and kidneys, require frequent hospitalizations and lead to death.
—Dolores Alvarado, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024
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Robert Pearl, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
This can increase your risk for side effects caused by statins, including liver damage, muscle pain and breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), and kidney failure.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 9 Dec. 2024
Hear what residents are arguing about Even at small concentrations, TCE exposure is also known to cause cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, problems with the nervous system and the immune system, reproductive problems, liver and kidney damage and other significant health issues.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
For example, diabetes is a chronic illness that can damage the heart and kidneys, require frequent hospitalizations and lead to death.
—Dolores Alvarado, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024
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 Dec. 2024.
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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