adrenal
Americanadjective
-
on or near the kidneys
-
of or relating to the adrenal glands or their secretions
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of adrenal
Explanation
The adjective adrenal describes something near the kidneys. The adrenal glands control the release of stress hormones in the body. Adrenal is a scientific term describing a pair of endocrine glands that sit at the top of the kidneys in the human body. These glands control the way the kidneys work, as well as affecting stress hormones like adrenaline. The word adrenal, "of or near the kidneys," comes from Latin roots: ad-, "at or near," and renes, "kidneys."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Crinetics primarily develops products to treat endocrine disorders, including acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder caused by the overproduction of growth hormone, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a condition that affects the adrenal glands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Neurocrine already markets Crenessity, an oral CRF1 receptor antagonist used to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is a collection of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 6, 2026
Andrews was first diagnosed with stage three adrenal cancer in April 2023 and underwent chemotherapy, Luxe said.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
Unlike a single cortisol test, which reflects stress at just one point in time, the size of the adrenal glands functions more like a long-term gauge of chronic stress.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 14, 2025
His adrenal gland, by degrees, ceased jumping its several secretions into his bloodstream; his heart slowed to normal, his breathing became less frantic.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
