kidney

noun

kid·ney | \ ˈkid-nē

plural kidneys

Definition of kidney

1a : 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

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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

The 28-year-old actress has had 16 surgeries for her endometriosis and kidney dysplasia. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "How Sarah Hyland Found Self-Confidence and Self-Love," 9 May 2019 In a video about the line, Selena explains that the suit's design was partially inspired by her kidney transplant scar. — Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Selena Gomez Teamed Up With Theresa Marie Mingus on a Swimwear Collection," 4 May 2019 However, the beef, kidney & pinto bean, bell pepper, and onion concoction sits on par with most other fast-food chili options. 11. — Alex Aronson, Redbook, "The 14 Best Costco Food Court Menu Items, Ranked," 4 Apr. 2019 Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria get into the urinary tract via the urethra and multiply in the urethra, bladder, or kidneys, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here’s Why You Should Always Wipe Front-to-Back," 9 Mar. 2019 The organ, a donor kidney sent to doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center, was successfully transplanted into a a 44-year-old woman's body. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "This Drone Just Successfully Delivered a Transplant Kidney for the First Time Ever," 2 May 2019 Long term exposure to chemicals in air fresheners can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, central nervous system, and can even alter the body's hormones, which increases an individuals risk of cancer and can cause reproductive issues. — Lindsey Campbell, House Beautiful, "19 Dangerous Household Items You Should Quit Using Immediately," 15 Feb. 2019 Nearly 115,000 people are on waiting lists for kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs and other organs. — Lenny Bernstein, Washington Post, "New York organ collection agency, nation’s second-largest, threatened with closure," 11 July 2018 In mid-June, Ashlin and her family received welcomed news: a match for a kidney had been found. — Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "As an Oconomowoc 6-year-old fights a life-threatening infection, a neighborhood group is demanding her swing set come down," 2 July 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.

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Last Updated

31 May 2019

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Time Traveler for kidney

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

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More Definitions for kidney

kidney

noun

English Language Learners Definition of kidney

: either of two organs in your body that remove waste products from your blood and make urine

: an animal kidney used as food

See the full definition for kidney in the English Language Learners Dictionary

kidney

noun

kid·ney | \ ˈkid-nē

plural kidneys

Kids Definition of kidney

: 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

kidney

noun

kid·ney | \ ˈkid-nē

plural kidneys

Medical Definition of kidney

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