plural kidneys
1
a
: one of a pair of vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism, in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4½ inches (11½ centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged into a main cavity from which it is conveyed by the ureter to the bladder
b
: any of various excretory organs of invertebrate animals
2
: the kidney of an animal eaten as food
3
: sort or kind especially with regard to temperament
… a nice helpful guy, of a different kidney entirely from the … Secret Police …—
Paula Lecler
Paula LeclerExamples of kidney in a Sentence
a patient with a damaged kidney
her new boyfriend is of a different kidney than what she usually dates
Recent Examples on the Web
The kidneys and glands, such as the parathyroid glands, produce hormones such as parathyroid hormone and vitamin D that act as signals to tell bone when to release calcium and phosphate into the bloodstream and when to store them.
—Priya Bhardwaj, The Conversation, 22 June 2026
Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing kidney disease or animal allergies should consult a physician before trying this tactic.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
In 2019, Nguyen's friend Penny Pride needed a kidney transplant.
—David Begnaud, CBS News, 22 June 2026
That shark nose front end keeps a hint of the BMW kidney grille although the new M yellow lights will surely become the new signature feature of future M cars.
—New Atlas, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Priya Bhardwaj, The Conversation, 22 June 2026
Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing kidney disease or animal allergies should consult a physician before trying this tactic.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
In 2019, Nguyen's friend Penny Pride needed a kidney transplant.
—David Begnaud, CBS News, 22 June 2026
That shark nose front end keeps a hint of the BMW kidney grille although the new M yellow lights will surely become the new signature feature of future M cars.
—New Atlas, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kidney
noun
kid·ney
ˈkid-nē 
plural kidneys
1
: either of a pair of oval to bean-shaped organs located in the back part of the abdomen near the spine that give off waste products in the form of urine
2
: an organ of an invertebrate animal that gives off waste
Medical Definition
kidney
noun
kid·ney
ˈkid-nē
plural kidneys
1
: one of a pair of vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism, in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4¹/₂ inches (11¹/₂ centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged into the renal pelvis whence it is conveyed by the ureter to the bladder compare mesonephros, metanephros, pronephros
2
: any of various excretory organs of invertebrate animals
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