adrenal

1 of 2

noun

ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrē-nᵊl 

: adrenal gland

adrenal

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretions

adrenal steroids

Examples of adrenal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These are hormone-producing organs that include your ovaries, thyroid, hypothalamus and adrenals and they can be adversely affected by menopause. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2026

At first, my adrenals were going, my nervous system was really activated. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Low testosterone levels in females can be a sign of adrenal and pituitary gland disorders or an ovary disorder, according to MedlinePlus. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 17 July 2026

In some cases, surgery is required to remove an adrenal tumor, or radiation therapy is needed to shrink a growing pituitary tumor. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of adrenal entry 2

Adjective

ad- + (supra)renal entry 1 (describing the location of the gland)

First Known Use

Noun

1863, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1863, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing adrenal

• adrenal gland
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Rhymes for adrenal

• alkenyl
• cerebrospinal
• corticospinal
• duodenal
• intrarenal
• intraspinal
• suprarenal
• gastroduodenal
• genal
• penal
• phenyl
• renal

Kids Definition

adrenal

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrē-nᵊl 

: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretions

adrenal

2 of 2 noun

: adrenal gland

Medical Definition

adrenal

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrēn-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretion

adrenally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

adrenal

2 of 2 noun

: adrenal gland