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
DaVita, founded in 1994, provides kidney dialysis services through at-home dialysis and a network of outpatient clinics across the United States.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 1 June 2025
By the time Colton’s mother brought him to the emergency room that November day, the bacteria were releasing toxins and damaging his blood cells and kidneys, according to his father, Chris George.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Damage to small blood vessels can also cause kidney and lung disease, comas, delirium, and dementia.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
And the drink’s high potassium levels may be harmful for those with kidney failure or chronic kidney disease.
—Paul McClure 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2025
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Yun Li, CNBC, 1 June 2025
By the time Colton’s mother brought him to the emergency room that November day, the bacteria were releasing toxins and damaging his blood cells and kidneys, according to his father, Chris George.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Damage to small blood vessels can also cause kidney and lung disease, comas, delirium, and dementia.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
And the drink’s high potassium levels may be harmful for those with kidney failure or chronic kidney disease.
—Paul McClure 24, New Atlas, 24 May 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 Jun. 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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