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
People with kidney disease should ask their doctor before adding a magnesium supplement, as excess magnesium is cleared through the kidneys.
—Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Chronic lead exposure has been linked to immune suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage, and high blood pressure in adults.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Days later — on the same day as the memorial service for Washington women’s soccer player Mia Hamant, who died in November after a long battle with kidney cancer — Williams announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Doctors quickly determined that Chris had jaundice and that his kidneys and liver had shut down.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Chronic lead exposure has been linked to immune suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage, and high blood pressure in adults.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Days later — on the same day as the memorial service for Washington women’s soccer player Mia Hamant, who died in November after a long battle with kidney cancer — Williams announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Doctors quickly determined that Chris had jaundice and that his kidneys and liver had shut down.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 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 10 Jan. 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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