adrenal

1 of 2

noun

ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrē-nᵊl How to pronounce adrenal (audio)

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
That’s because your adrenals tend to release cortisol in response to different types of stress. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 Your adrenals in response will release hormones, such as adrenaline, which can stimulate your heart to beat faster and your blood pressure to increase, and cortisol, which can increase the amount of sugar in your bloodstream and your brain’s utilization of that glucose. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
Secondary adrenal insufficiency: Normally, your pituitary gland in your head secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone or ACTH that stimulates your adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 Anxiety Relief and Depression Magnesium regulates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPAA), which is involved in the body’s stress response. Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adrenal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of adrenal was in 1863

Cite this Entry

“Adrenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adrenal. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

adrenal

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrē-nᵊl How to pronounce adrenal (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretions

adrenal

2 of 2 noun

Medical Definition

adrenal

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrēn-ᵊl How to pronounce adrenal (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretion
adrenally adverb

adrenal

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on adrenal

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