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 4½ inches (11½ 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
Marshall would go on to also lose much of her hearing and experience issues with her heart, her liver and her kidneys.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
In the United States, tuberculosis is caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs and can impact other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys and spine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
High concentrations of lead cause developmental damage in children, notably neurological effects as well as cardiovascular, reproductive, and kidney problems.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Ratcliff worked for Davita, which provides kidney care at hospitals across the country.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
In the United States, tuberculosis is caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs and can impact other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys and spine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
High concentrations of lead cause developmental damage in children, notably neurological effects as well as cardiovascular, reproductive, and kidney problems.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Ratcliff worked for Davita, which provides kidney care at hospitals across the country.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
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 Feb. 2026.
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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