1
a
: a specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body compare endocrine gland, exocrine gland
b
: any of various animal structures suggestive of glands though not secretory in function
2
: any of various secreting organs (such as a nectary) of plants
1
: a device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint in machinery
2
: the movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed
Examples of gland in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The jaw of a dragon possesses a venom gland with ducts that open between multiple teeth, delivering a potent venom into the bite site.
—Craig Stanford, Big Think, 7 May 2026
With Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Researchers had known about peptides for generations — insulin, the diabetes treatment, is one — but those were found through conventional means, in glands and tissues where scientists knew to look.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gland
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Noun
How The Velvet Worm Produces Slime The velvet worm’s slime begins as a liquid stored inside specialized glands that run along the animal’s body.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The jaw of a dragon possesses a venom gland with ducts that open between multiple teeth, delivering a potent venom into the bite site.
—Craig Stanford, Big Think, 7 May 2026
With Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Researchers had known about peptides for generations — insulin, the diabetes treatment, is one — but those were found through conventional means, in glands and tissues where scientists knew to look.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gland
Cite this Entry
“Gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gland. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gland
noun1
: a cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body
2
: any of various animal structures (as a lymph node) suggestive of glands though not secretory in function
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