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 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
In addition to chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative disorder and obstructive sleep apnea were also listed in the report.
—Tracy Wright , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Because of this, people with late-stage kidney disease may be advised to limit potassium intake.13
There is no best time of day to eat bananas for gut health.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025
Since returning to her family, she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 heart disease and Stage 4 kidney disease.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 25 June 2025
Six years ago, her husband died of kidney disease, just five months after burying her brother-in-law.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
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Tracy Wright , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Because of this, people with late-stage kidney disease may be advised to limit potassium intake.13
There is no best time of day to eat bananas for gut health.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025
Since returning to her family, she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 heart disease and Stage 4 kidney disease.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 25 June 2025
Six years ago, her husband died of kidney disease, just five months after burying her brother-in-law.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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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