glands

Cultural

Organs or groups of cells that take substances from the blood and change them chemically so that they can be secreted later for further use by the body. There are two kinds of glands: those that secrete their substances directly into the bloodstream (endocrine glands), and those that secrete their substances through channels or ducts (such as sweat glands and salivary glands).

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.

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

Eccrine sweat glands perform a critical function: cooling the body via evaporation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

The more glands and fibrous tissue a person has, the denser their breasts.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

She underwent an operation which included the removal of her salivary glands, causing her to temporarily lose her sense of smell and taste.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

Skunks spray an oily liquid from glands underneath their tails as a defense.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023