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
Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Certain conditions, like acne rosacea, can cause clogging and inflammation of the meibomian glands, further worsening dry eye symptoms.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Dec. 2024
The exact cause of the condition is unclear, but a reproductive gland infection is one possibility.1
Genetic factors may also play a role, as several genes are linked to the condition.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 Dec. 2024
Hypothyroidism is a common condition whereby the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormone thyroxine, leading to fatigue, weight gain, hair loss and other symptoms.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gland 
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Noun
These would measure the amount of fat that his glands secreted on that week’s diet.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Certain conditions, like acne rosacea, can cause clogging and inflammation of the meibomian glands, further worsening dry eye symptoms.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Dec. 2024
The exact cause of the condition is unclear, but a reproductive gland infection is one possibility.1
Genetic factors may also play a role, as several genes are linked to the condition.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 Dec. 2024
Hypothyroidism is a common condition whereby the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormone thyroxine, leading to fatigue, weight gain, hair loss and other symptoms.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gland
Dictionary Entries Near gland
Cite this Entry
“Gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gland. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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
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