1
a
: a specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body compare endocrine gland, exocrine gland
b
: any of various animal structures suggestive of glands though not secretory in function
2
: any of various secreting organs (such as a nectary) of plants
1
: a device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint in machinery
2
: the movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed
Examples of gland in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2024
Urination, defecation, and secretions of a sweat gland unique to elephants known as the temporal gland was also present in 71 percent of greetings.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 May 2024
Some surgeons have raised concerns about dry mouth resulting from submandibular gland reduction, but Drs.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 1 May 2024
Prey have evolved to detect these animals by smell, including odors from their urine, excrement, or anal glands.
—Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 27 Mar. 2024
Dorio, 72, said it was expected to take about three hours to remove the tumor and half of Clough’s thyroid gland.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
This includes hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland produces too few hormones, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that affects ovulation.56 Once diagnosed, these conditions can be treated with medication to help regulate hormones, reducing the spotting episodes.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
In addition, lips lack other skin features, such as hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands that provide extra moisture or oils.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
But many biologists refused to believe that the brain might produce hormones like a mere gland.
—Nicholas Wade, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
When threatened or startled, the Colorado River toad (also called the Sonoran desert toad) exudes 5-MeO-DMT, a hallucinogenic compound that discourages predators, from glands in its skin.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2024
Urination, defecation, and secretions of a sweat gland unique to elephants known as the temporal gland was also present in 71 percent of greetings.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 May 2024
Some surgeons have raised concerns about dry mouth resulting from submandibular gland reduction, but Drs.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 1 May 2024
Prey have evolved to detect these animals by smell, including odors from their urine, excrement, or anal glands.
—Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 27 Mar. 2024
Dorio, 72, said it was expected to take about three hours to remove the tumor and half of Clough’s thyroid gland.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
This includes hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland produces too few hormones, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that affects ovulation.56 Once diagnosed, these conditions can be treated with medication to help regulate hormones, reducing the spotting episodes.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
In addition, lips lack other skin features, such as hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands that provide extra moisture or oils.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
But many biologists refused to believe that the brain might produce hormones like a mere gland.
—Nicholas Wade, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gland.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near gland
Cite this Entry
“Gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gland. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gland
noun1
: a cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body
2
: any of various animal structures (as a lymph node) suggestive of glands though not secretory in function
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share