glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

b

: having the characteristics or function of a gland

2

a

: innate, inherent

the almost glandular … instinct for adventure and romance

—Newsweek

b

: physical, sexual

glandularly adverb

Examples of glandular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This type of cancer starts in the glandular cells (cells that secrete substances) of the endometrium.5 Uterine carcinosarcoma: This subtype starts in the endometrium. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 11 July 2025

Both cancers come from similar types of cells lining these parts of the digestive tract, particularly glandular cells, which can develop into cancer. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 July 2025

Dense breasts don’t correlate with body or breast size—they’re a function of tissue composition, with more glandular and fibrous tissue and less fat. —Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

For those with denser breast tissue, meaning the breast contains more glandular tissue instead of fatty tissue, detecting cancer with a mammogram can be more difficult. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing glandular

• glandular fever

Kids Definition

glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

glandular activity

2

: having the traits or activities of a gland

glandular tissue

glandularly adverb

Medical Definition

glandular

adjective

glan·​du·​lar ˈglan-jə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving glands, gland cells, or their products

2

: having the characteristics or function of a gland

glandular tissue