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
As part of their visit to the adjoining children’s hospital, Evan and Liz met with 10-year-old Pablo Escobar, a diehard Dodgers fan who has undergone two kidney transplants after a diagnosis with Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 May 2025
When blood calcium levels increase or decrease, these hormones tell the kidneys to excrete or absorb more calcium to keep levels stable.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 21 May 2025
In many cases, doctors may add other drugs to block testosterone from secondary sources in the body, such as the adrenal glands that sit above the kidneys.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
Caffeine also has a diuretic effect (promoting the elimination of fluid by the kidneys), so caffeinated coffee is less effective than plain water in rehydrating.8
5.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 May 2025
When blood calcium levels increase or decrease, these hormones tell the kidneys to excrete or absorb more calcium to keep levels stable.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 21 May 2025
In many cases, doctors may add other drugs to block testosterone from secondary sources in the body, such as the adrenal glands that sit above the kidneys.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
Caffeine also has a diuretic effect (promoting the elimination of fluid by the kidneys), so caffeinated coffee is less effective than plain water in rehydrating.8
5.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 20 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 24 May. 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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