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
In July of 2015, Taylor was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease known as IgA nephropathy, an autoimmune disease also known as Berger's disease.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Health officials tested the Idaho man’s right kidney, which had not been donated, and detected a rabies variant linked to silver-haired bats.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
People with congestive heart issues, kidney disease, a history of blood clotting or other active infections shouldn't dry brush or only do so after consulting a doctor, Hendershot says.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
The McMaster technique could lead to faster production of skin substitutes, cardiac patches, kidney tissues, and other layered structures.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Health officials tested the Idaho man’s right kidney, which had not been donated, and detected a rabies variant linked to silver-haired bats.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
People with congestive heart issues, kidney disease, a history of blood clotting or other active infections shouldn't dry brush or only do so after consulting a doctor, Hendershot says.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
The McMaster technique could lead to faster production of skin substitutes, cardiac patches, kidney tissues, and other layered structures.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 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 16 Dec. 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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