kidney

noun kid·ney \ ˈkid-nē \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of kidney

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 whence 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

See kidney defined for English-language learners

See kidney defined for kids

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 of kidney from the Web

Doctors not involved in Mrs. Trump's care but familiar with the procedure said embolization most likely was used to remove a type of noncancerous kidney tumor called an angiomylipoma.

— darlene superville, chicagotribune.com, "Trump: First lady had 'big operation,' can't fly for a month," 8 June 2018
Doctors not involved in Mrs. Trump's care but familiar with the procedure said embolization most likely was used to remove a type of noncancerous kidney tumor called an angiomylipoma.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Says First Lady’s Doctors Told Her Not to Fly Following Operation," 8 June 2018
Daniel de Wet lost a kidney and suffered other internal injuries when the 1.8-meter (5.9-foot) metal rod entered his groin area and exited his back just below a shoulder blade.

— Washington Post, "South African man who survived impaling to run ultramarathon," 6 June 2018
More than a week later, the man is in stable condition, but still showing signs of weakened kidney function due to the shocking bite.

— christina capatides, CBS News, "Severed rattlesnake head bites man who decapitated it," 6 June 2018
Some of the treatments require IV infusion, while others require daily assessment of liver and kidney function, according to Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO assistant director-general for emergency preparedness and response.

— meera senthilingam, CNN, "Experimental drugs approved for use in Congo Ebola outbreak," 6 June 2018
But later on Wednesday, Melania finally stepped out for her first official public appearance since her May hospitalization for a benign kidney issue … while wearing a very appropriate outfit.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "After Evading Public for Weeks, Melania Trump Appears in Carmen Sandiego–Esque Outfit," 6 June 2018
And there’s retired entrepreneur J.J. Villarreal, 77, who had one kidney removed, but still shows up to work out and inspire his fellow center members.

— vincent t. davis, San Antonio Express-News, "Local seniors recall living through historic moments," 4 June 2018
About 12 people in the U.S. die every day waiting for a kidney.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: HIV Organ Transplants, Artificial Iris Approval, New Jersey Individual Mandate," 1 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kidney.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of kidney

Middle English

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

KIDNEY Defined for English Language Learners

kidney

noun

Definition of kidney for English Language Learners

: either of two organs in your body that remove waste products from your blood and make urine
: an animal kidney used as food

KIDNEY Defined for Kids

kidney

noun kid·ney \ ˈkid-nē \

Definition of kidney for Students

plural kidneys

: either of a pair of organs near the backbone that give off waste from the body in the form of urine and in humans are bean-shaped

Medical Dictionary

kidney

noun kid·ney \ ˈkid-nē \

medical Definition of kidney

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