liver

1 of 2

noun (1)

liv·​er ˈli-vər 

1

a

: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood (as by converting sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required and by forming urea)

b

: any of various large compound glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate animals and probably concerned with the secretion of digestive enzymes

2

archaic : a determinant of the quality or temper of a man

3

: the liver of an animal (such as a calf or chicken) eaten as food

4

: a grayish reddish brown

called also liver brown, liver maroon

liver

2 of 2

noun (2)

liv·​er ˈli-vər 

1

: one that lives especially in a specified way

a fast liver

2

: resident

Examples of liver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Queen of Thrones is the #1 prescribed liver compress and is ahead of the game regarding cleanliness and convenience. —Matthew Parker, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2023

Flesh-Eating Bacteria Washing Ashore in Florida — and Plastic Is to Blame Keiser noted that the individual had a pre-existing liver condition and was undergoing immunosuppressive drug treatment. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023

People with underlying health conditions like cancer, liver disease, diabetes, or those who are immunocompromised, have a higher risk of wound infection occurring. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023

The diseases believed to have been caused by the toxic water include kidney, liver and bladder cancer, leukemia and Parkinson’s disease. —Michael Kosnar, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2023

Additionally, foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, can help protect the liver and aid in the detoxification process. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023

Acute liver failure, also known as fulminant hepatic failure, is a rare but life-threatening condition in which the liver loses function. —Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2023

The second protein, fibrinogen, is produced in the liver and causes clotting to stop bleeding. —Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2023

Drinking alcohol while taking Tylenol may cause liver damage.20 2. —Claire Gillespie, Health, 31 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English lifer; akin to Old High German lebra liver

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing liver

• liver fluke
• cod-liver oil
• chopped liver
• liver pudding
• liver spots
• liver sausage

• liver fluke
• cod-liver oil
• chopped liver
• liver pudding
• liver spots
• liver sausage

Kids Definition

liver

1 of 2 noun

liv·​er ˈliv-ər 

1

a

: a large glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes changes in the blood (as by changing sugars into glycogen and by forming urea)

b

: any of various large probably digestive glands of invertebrate animals

2

: the liver of an animal (as of a calf or chicken) eaten as food

liver

2 of 2 noun

liv·​er ˈliv-ər 

: one that lives especially in a specified way

Medical Definition

liver

noun

liv·​er ˈliv-ər 

1

a

: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood which passes through it (as by converting sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required and by forming urea), that in humans is the largest gland in the body, weighs from 40 to 60 ounces (1100 to 1700 grams), is a dark red color, and occupies the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity immediately below the diaphragm, that is divided by fissures into five lobes, and that receives blood both from the hepatic artery and the portal vein and returns it to the systemic circulation by the hepatic veins

b

: any of various large compound glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate animals and probably concerned with the secretion of digestive enzymes

2

: the liver of an animal (as a calf or pig) eaten as food or used as a source of pharmaceutical products (as liver extract)

3

: disease or disorder of the liver : biliousness