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
Noun
More serious side effects of excessive choline supplementation are liver toxicity and the concern over-production of TMAO, depending on the type of choline supplement taken. Casey Seiden, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 The parasite can cause canine schistosomiasis, an illness that affects the liver and intestines of dogs, according to Dillman. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Other adverse health effects from hexavalent chromium exposure includes nasal and sinus cancers, kidney and liver damage, nasal and skin irritation and ulceration and eye irritation and damage. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2024 Unsurprisingly, our livers now encounter more toxins than ever before. Hannah Coates, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 The accumulation of fat in the liver causes inflammation, which leads to fibrosis, or liver scarring, and can progress in more advanced stages to cirrhosis, cancer, and the need for a liver transplant. Adam Feuerstein Reprints, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 Circadian clocks keep time everywhere from your liver and lungs to your nose and toes. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 Dolly Parton Surprises Fan with Cancer by Calling and Serenading Him to Help Finish Bucket List Gold, a computer programmer and father of five, was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in 2021, and his illness spread to his lymph nodes and liver. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Blood work, several doctor visits and a liver ultrasound led to his diagnosis. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near liver

Cite this Entry

“Liver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liver. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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