glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

b

: having the characteristics or function of a gland

2

a

: innate, inherent

the almost glandular … instinct for adventure and romance

—Newsweek

b

: physical, sexual

glandularly adverb

Examples of glandular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Called 'molecular breast imaging,' researchers at Mayo Clinic found the combination method increased the ability to find cancer in the fibrous and glandular tissue type by more than double. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue, and less fatty breast tissue. —Jennie Durant, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

This type of cancer starts in the glandular cells (cells that secrete substances) of the endometrium.5 Uterine carcinosarcoma: This subtype starts in the endometrium. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 11 July 2025

Both cancers come from similar types of cells lining these parts of the digestive tract, particularly glandular cells, which can develop into cancer. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing glandular

• glandular fever

Kids Definition

glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

glandular activity

2

: having the traits or activities of a gland

glandular tissue

glandularly adverb

Medical Definition

glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

2

: having the characteristics or function of a gland

glandular tissue