noun
gland
gland
noun
1
An organ or group of cells in the body that produces and releases a substance, such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva.
"The thyroid is a gland in the neck that regulates metabolism."
"Sweat glands help cool the body down."
2
(mechanical) A sealing device that fits around a rotating or moving shaft to stop fluid leaking past it.
"A worn gland on the propeller shaft was letting water into the hull."
How to Use Gland
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA body part (or, in engineering, a seal) that controls the release of a substance.
Common pairings
sweat gland
thyroid gland
swollen glands
Word Forms
glands plural, glands plural
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The thyroid is a _____ in the neck that regulates metabolism.
Etymology
Borrowed in the late 1600s from French glande, ultimately from Latin glandula, "little acorn" — glands were named for their shape.