A gland is an organ in the body which produces chemical substances for the body to use orget rid of.
...the hormones secreted by our endocrine glands.
...sweat glands.
gland in British English1
(ɡlænd)
noun
1.
a cell or organ in humans 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
▶ Related adjective: adenoid
Derived forms
glandlike (ˈglandˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C17: from Latin glāns acorn
gland in British English2
(ɡlænd)
noun
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
Word origin
C19: of unknown origin
gland in American English1
(glænd)
noun
1.
any organ or specialized group of cells that produces secretions, as insulin or bile, or excretions, as urine: some glands, as the liver and kidneys, have ducts that empty into an organ: the ductless (or endocrine) glands, as the thyroid and adrenals, secrete hormones
2. Loosely
any similar structure that is not a true gland
lymph glands
3. Botany
an organ or layer of cells that produces and secretes some substance
Word origin
Fr glande < OFr glandre < L glandula, tonsil, dim. of glans (gen. glandis), acorn (< IE base *gwel-, oak, acorn > Gr balanos)
gland in American English2
(glænd)
noun
Mechanics
a movable part that compresses the packing in a stuffing box
gland in Mechanical Engineering
(glænd)
Word forms: (regular plural) glands
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Fluid engineering)
A gland is a device that stops a fluid leaking along a rotating shaft or reciprocating rod passing through a boundary between areasof high and low pressure.
The gland in the head of the faucet prevents water from leaking up the shaft when the faucetis turned on.
When the packing is compressed by a gland, it provides a tight seal around the stem.
A gland is a device that stops a fluid leaking along a rotating shaft or reciprocating rodpassing through a boundary between areas of high and low pressure.
Examples of 'gland' in a sentence
gland
You could feel the cocaine crystals oozing from his sweat glands.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The lymph glands near by are often enlarged and tender.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The two small adrenal glands on the kidneys also make a little of the hormone.
The Sun (2009)
There are racial variations in how much people sweat and the number of sweat glands they have.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The lymph glands and lymphatic system fight infection and remove excess fluid from the tissues.
The Sun (2015)
The adrenal gland is part of this automatic nervous system.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
It can also switch off sweat glands.
The Sun (2008)
Sometimes there are enlarged lymph glands in the neck.
The Sun (2015)
Less of the steroid is produced by the adrenal gland as a person ages.
The Sun (2011)
He had been suffering for some time from cancer of the lymph glands.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
It is caused by failure of the adrenal glands.
The Sun (2011)
Fat cells can turn hormones from the adrenal gland into a weak form of oestrogen.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Everyone is born with the same number of sweat glands but they mature in the first two years.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are found more frequently in younger women and are more likely to have spread to the lymph glands.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
First of all, these changes involve the glands of the body which produce various hormones.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
You may get swollen glands in the groin, or other lymph glands.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
When you are under stress your adrenal glands produce more cortisol, the stress hormone.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In women, it comes from the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Brumberg, Elaine Take Care of Your Skin (1990)
Sometimes cancer is found first in the lymph glands, since that is a favored site for spread.
Laszlo, John (MD) Understanding Cancer (1987)
Sage has a direct action on the sweat glands and may help to control the mechanism that underlies hot flushes, she says.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The organs and glands of sheep have been found to be the least likely to cause allergic reactions, and so they are recommended.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
Feet smell because there are more sweat glands on the feet than anywhere else on the body - but it shouldn't stop you from wearing summer shoes.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
gland
British English: gland /ɡlænd/ NOUN
Glands are organs in your body that produce chemical substances which your body needs.
...sweat glands.
American English: gland
Arabic: غُدَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: glândula
Chinese: 腺
Croatian: žlijezda
Czech: žláza
Danish: kirtel
Dutch: klier lichaamsdeel
European Spanish: glándula
Finnish: rauhanen
French: glande
German: Drüse
Greek: αδένας
Italian: ghiandola
Japanese: 腺
Korean: 샘 기관
Norwegian: kjertel
Polish: gruczoł
European Portuguese: glândula
Romanian: glandă
Russian: железа
Latin American Spanish: glándula
Swedish: körtel
Thai: ต่อม
Turkish: beze
Ukrainian: лімфовузол
Vietnamese: tuyến
All related terms of 'gland'
oil gland
See uropygial gland
green gland
one of a pair of excretory organs in some crustaceans that open at the base of each antenna
lymph gland
any of numerous bean-shaped masses of tissue, situated along the course of lymphatic vessels, that help to protect against infection by killing bacteria and neutralizing toxins and are the source of lymphocytes
milk gland
any of the milk-producing glands in mammals. In higher mammals each gland consists of a network of tubes and cavities connected to the exterior by a nipple
scent gland
any of various specialized skin glands , occurring in many kinds of animals, that emit an odor commonly functioning as a social or sexual signal or a defensive weapon
shell gland
a gland in certain invertebrates that secretes the components required for forming the shell of an egg
sweat gland
any of the coiled tubular subcutaneous glands that secrete sweat by means of a duct that opens onto the skin
adrenal gland
an endocrine gland at the anterior end of each kidney . Its medulla secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline and its cortex secretes several steroid hormones
mammary gland
any of the milk-producing glands in mammals. In higher mammals each gland consists of a network of tubes and cavities connected to the exterior by a nipple
monkey gland
the testicle of an ape or monkey , said to have a revitalizing effect on humans when administered by grafting or adding the essence to the bloodstream
parotid gland
a large salivary gland , in humans situated in front of and below each ear
pineal gland
a pea-sized organ in the brain, situated beneath the posterior part of the corpus callosum, that secretes melatonin into the bloodstream
poison gland
a gland in some fish and amphibians that secretes venomous material
thyroid gland
an endocrine gland of vertebrates , consisting in humans of two lobes near the base of the neck . It secretes hormones that control metabolism and body growth
Cowper's gland
either of two small glands with ducts opening into the male urethra : during sexual excitement they secrete a mucous substance
ductless gland
an endocrine gland
endocrine gland
any of the glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream , including the pituitary , pineal , thyroid , parathyroid , adrenal , testes , ovaries , and the pancreatic islets of Langerhans
exocrine gland
any gland , such as a salivary or sweat gland, that secretes its products through a duct onto an epithelial surface
lacrimal gland
the compound gland that secretes tears and lubricates the surface of the eye and the conjunctiva of the eyelid
meibomian gland
any of the small sebaceous glands in the eyelid , beneath the conjunctiva
parotoid gland
any of various warty poison glands on the head and back of certain toads and salamanders
perineal gland
one of a pair of glands that are situated near the anus in some mammals and secrete an odorous substance
pituitary gland
The pituitary gland or the pituitary is a gland that is attached to the base of the brain. It produces hormones which affect growth, sexual development, and other functions of the body.
prostate gland
a partly muscular gland surrounding the urethra at the base of the bladder in most male mammals: it secretes an alkaline fluid that is discharged with the sperm
salivary gland
Your salivary glands are the glands that produce saliva in your mouth .
sebaceous gland
any of the cutaneous glands that secrete oily matter for lubricating hair and skin
uropygial gland
a gland , situated at the base of the tail in most birds , that secretes oil used in preening
Bartholin's gland
either of two small glands near the vaginal opening: during sexual excitement they secrete a mucous lubricating substance
colleterial gland
a paired accessory reproductive gland , present in most female insects, secreting a sticky substance that forms either the egg cases or the cement that binds the eggs to a surface
parathyroid gland
any one of the small egg-shaped endocrine glands situated near or embedded within the thyroid gland: they secrete parathyroid hormone
sublingual gland
(in human beings) either of a pair of salivary glands situated beneath the tongue
submaxillary gland
(in mammals ) either of a pair of salivary glands situated on each side behind the lower jaw
suprarenal gland
an endocrine gland at the anterior end of each kidney . Its medulla secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline and its cortex secretes several steroid hormones
bulbourethral gland
→ Cowper's gland
lymph node
Lymph nodes or lymph glands are small masses of tissue in your body where white blood cells are formed.
carotid body
a small mass of cells and nerve endings adjacent to the carotid sinus that, in response to chemical changes in the blood, adjusts the respiratory rate
thymus
a glandular organ of vertebrates , consisting in humans of two lobes situated below the thyroid . In early life it produces lymphocytes and is thought to influence certain immunological responses . It atrophies with age and is almost nonexistent in the adult