adrenal gland

noun

: 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 adrenal, suprarenal gland

Examples of adrenal gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shortly before her first birthday, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer typically found in the adrenal glands that most commonly affects children. —Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 3 June 2026

But at the time, Sikiric was just a second-year medical student at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine in Croatia, listening to a lecture about the adrenal glands and the body’s response to stress. —Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 1 June 2026

In other dogs, an adrenal gland tumor is responsible for the excess cortisol. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adrenal gland

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand

Kids Definition

adrenal gland

noun

: either of a pair of endocrine glands that are located near the kidney and produce the hormone epinephrine

Medical Definition

adrenal gland

noun

: 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 adrenal, suprarenal gland