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 LeclerSynonyms
Examples 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
The high content of vitamin K and potassium may be dangerous for people taking blood thinners or who have kidney disease.
Alfalfa grass: This herb is rich in calcium, potassium, iron, and certain vitamins.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 9 July 2024
Other diseases associated with fatigue and older age include Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, kidney disease and cancer.
—Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
Last year, he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2024
The reigning Olympic all-around champion Lee finished second in the two-day trial competition, continuing a triumphant return after two kidney diseases threatened her future.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidney 
Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 9 July 2024
Other diseases associated with fatigue and older age include Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, kidney disease and cancer.
—Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
Last year, he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2024
The reigning Olympic all-around champion Lee finished second in the two-day trial competition, continuing a triumphant return after two kidney diseases threatened her future.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidney
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kidney.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to kidney
Dictionary Entries Near kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share