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
Still, the findings open compelling new avenues of investigation into how GLP-1 drugs’ anti-inflammatory effects may help with other conditions such as heart failure, sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease, Said says.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
However, the high moisture content is good for weakened kidneys, and cats tend to reject wet food less often than dry food.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
Growing research suggests that these drugs – which include semaglutide and tirzepatide – potentially have benefits beyond weight loss, with stronger evidence for cardiovascular and kidney health.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Livers and kidneys are the most common living donor organ transplant procedures, though living people can also donate tissues like skin and bone marrow, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
However, the high moisture content is good for weakened kidneys, and cats tend to reject wet food less often than dry food.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
Growing research suggests that these drugs – which include semaglutide and tirzepatide – potentially have benefits beyond weight loss, with stronger evidence for cardiovascular and kidney health.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Livers and kidneys are the most common living donor organ transplant procedures, though living people can also donate tissues like skin and bone marrow, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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