kidney

noun

kid·​ney ˈkid-nē How to pronounce kidney (audio)
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 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 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 PolicePaula Lecler

Examples 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 Lead can cause long-term problems in adults, including greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage. Jonel Aleccia, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Morita died in 2005 at age 73 due to kidney failure. Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 In August, Seaquarium received backlash after Lolita the orca whale died of kidney failure days before she was supposed to be released back into this wild. Ayana Archie, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Diabetes, for example, can lead to lower-limb amputations and kidney failure. Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 In another ward of the hospital, a patient was struggling with kidney failure and in urgent need of a transplant. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Cloudy urine can be a sign of an infection or a problem with your kidneys. Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 When there is too much protein in the body, the kidneys may struggle to keep up, leading to dehydration and even permanent kidney damage. Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2024 He’s also accused of stabbing Kimberlee Guillory in a homeless encampment, leaving her with a lacerated kidney. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kidney.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidney was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near kidney

Cite this Entry

“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kidney

noun
kid·​ney ˈkid-nē How to pronounce kidney (audio)
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 How to pronounce kidney (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on kidney

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