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
Symptoms often begin with fever, fatigue and muscle aches, and in severe cases can progress rapidly to respiratory failure or kidney complications.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Steak and kidney pie with a flaky crust that envelops chunks of steak and mineral-bright nuggets of liver in a deep brown gravy.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The lack of regulations placed on these toxic supplements leads many teens to use these products with no idea of the risks, resulting in insomnia, contributing to depression and mood swings, and straining the liver and kidneys, which could lead to further damage.
—Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
While Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 is approved for reducing cardiovascular risks and treating patients with liver and kidney disease, Eli Lilly's GLP-1/GIP combo is approved for treating sleep apnea in people with obesity.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 4 May 2026
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Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Steak and kidney pie with a flaky crust that envelops chunks of steak and mineral-bright nuggets of liver in a deep brown gravy.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The lack of regulations placed on these toxic supplements leads many teens to use these products with no idea of the risks, resulting in insomnia, contributing to depression and mood swings, and straining the liver and kidneys, which could lead to further damage.
—Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
While Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 is approved for reducing cardiovascular risks and treating patients with liver and kidney disease, Eli Lilly's GLP-1/GIP combo is approved for treating sleep apnea in people with obesity.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidney
Cite this Entry
“Kidney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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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