kidney stone

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. an abnormal stone, or concretion, composed primarily of oxalates and phosphates, found in the kidney.

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kidney stone British  

noun

1. Also called: renal calculus.  pathol a hard mass formed in the kidney, usually composed of oxalates, phosphates, and carbonates

2. mineralogy another name for nephrite

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kidney stone Scientific  

1. A calculus that originates in the kidney and is usually composed of calcium salts, uric acid, cystine, and other compounds. Kidney stones cause extreme pain and bleeding if they obstruct the passage of urine in the kidney or in the ureter. They can often be treated with lithotripsy .

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Etymology

Origin of kidney stone

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

In the meantime, the stoics among us will just wait until this too shall pass — like a bad kidney stone.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2026

I prayed to be anywhere else, like maybe at the hospital passing a kidney stone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

Ms Marshallsay went into septic shock shortly after being admitted to Morriston with a kidney stone, and life-saving treatment was delivered to protect her vital organs.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025

If you don’t think this is an alarming trend, then you have never had a kidney stone.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2024

My mother used to get them too, and I remember she told me once she’d rather give birth than pass a kidney stone.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini