gland

¹ American  

[gland] / glænd /

noun

1. Anatomy.

   1. a cell, group of cells, or organ producing a secretion.

   2. any of various organs or structures resembling the shape but not the function of true glands.

2. Botany. a secreting organ or structure.

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gland ² American  

[gland] / glænd /

noun

Machinery.

1. a sleeve within a stuffing box, fitted over a shaft or valve stem and tightened against compressible packing in such a way as to prevent leakage of fluid while allowing the shaft or stem to move; lantern ring.

2. stuffing box.

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gland ¹ British  

/ ɡlænd /

noun

1. a cell or organ in man and other animals that synthesizes chemical substances and secretes them for the body to use or eliminate, either through a duct (exocrine gland) or directly into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) See also exocrine gland endocrine gland

2. a structure, such as a lymph node, that resembles a gland in form

3. a cell or organ in plants that synthesizes and secretes a particular substance

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gland ² British  

/ ɡlænd /

noun

1. a device that prevents leakage of fluid along a rotating shaft or reciprocating rod passing through a boundary between areas of high and low pressure. It often consists of a flanged metal sleeve bedding into a stuffing box

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gland Scientific  

/ glănd /

1. An organ or group of specialized cells in the body that produces and secretes a specific substance, such as a hormone.

2. See also endocrine gland exocrine gland

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Other Word Forms

• glandless adjective
• glandlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of gland¹

1685–95; < Latin gland- (stem of glāns acorn); compare Italian ghianda

Origin of gland²

First recorded in 1830–40; origin uncertain

Explanation

A gland is a small organ in your body that emits chemicals such as hormones. If you feel sick, your doctor may feel your neck to see if your glands are swollen. When your body is fighting off an infection, your glands may swell as they defend against the bacteria or virus. In addition to fighting illness, glands do all kinds of good work in your body, from regulating your metabolism to secreting hormones that control the rate at which you grow. The Latin source of gland is glandula, "gland of the throat," from glans, "acorn-shaped ball."

Example Sentences

“Copenhagen” taps the adrenal gland by keeping viewers off balance about who is who and what is what, beginning with the opening subtitles: President—and former CIA director—George H.W.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle.

From Science Daily • Nov. 4, 2025

Surgeons removed her thyroid gland but did not fully eradicate the cancer, which had spread to her vocal cords, the paper said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2025

Prostate cancer affects tissue of the prostate gland, the part of the male reproductive system that helps make semen.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

The doctors shaved off his whiskers so that they could cut into the gland and free the pus.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow