adrenal

1 of 2

noun

less common variant of adrenal gland

: either of a pair of complex endocrine organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine

called also suprarenal 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

Specifically, when temperatures rise, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activates to help regulate core body temperature, triggering the adrenal glands to release cortisol to manage the thermal strain. — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

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

Adjective

Depending on the findings, doctors may order ovarian or adrenal imaging. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

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