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
Patients receiving certain specialty care under Medicare, such as cancer or kidney care or certain surgeries, would be provided care planning services that include caregiver training and financial assistance for care coordination.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Someone with a history of chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease may need to be cautious when consuming watermelon.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 18 Sep. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says lead in the blood during pregnancy can increase the risk of a miscarriage, cause a baby to be born too early or too small, hurt a baby's brain, kidneys, and nervous system or cause a child to have behavioral problems.
—Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
These include heart, kidney, liver and skin conditions, as well as arthritis, cognitive decline, addiction and even certain cancers.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidney
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Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Someone with a history of chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease may need to be cautious when consuming watermelon.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 18 Sep. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says lead in the blood during pregnancy can increase the risk of a miscarriage, cause a baby to be born too early or too small, hurt a baby's brain, kidneys, and nervous system or cause a child to have behavioral problems.
—Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
These include heart, kidney, liver and skin conditions, as well as arthritis, cognitive decline, addiction and even certain cancers.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 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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