Meaning & use

gland

noun·Academic

An organ in the body that produces and releases a substance such as a hormone or enzyme.

See it in a sentence

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by releasing hormones into the bloodstream.

Swollen glands in the neck can be an early sign of infection.

A note on using this word

Glands are classed as endocrine, releasing hormones directly into the blood, or exocrine, releasing substances through a duct.

Words with a similar meaning

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