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
Brad Arnold, the lead vocalist for 3 Doors Down, revealed this week on May 7 that he's been diagnosed with advanced stage kidney cancer.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Brad Arnold, the lead singer of 3 Doors Down, announced that the American rock band’s summer tour would be canceled for a heartbreaking reason — he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer that has spread to his lungs.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Brad Arnold, lead singer of 3 Doors Down, has been diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer, prompting the cancellation of the band's upcoming U.S. summer tour.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
High doses of Tylenol can eventually damage kidneys.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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David Oliver, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Brad Arnold, the lead singer of 3 Doors Down, announced that the American rock band’s summer tour would be canceled for a heartbreaking reason — he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer that has spread to his lungs.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
Brad Arnold, lead singer of 3 Doors Down, has been diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer, prompting the cancellation of the band's upcoming U.S. summer tour.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
High doses of Tylenol can eventually damage kidneys.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 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 13 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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