gland

¹

[gland]

noun

1. Anatomy.

   1. a cell, group of cells, or organ producing a secretion.

   2. any of various organs or structures resembling the shape but not the function of true glands.

2. Botany.,  a secreting organ or structure.

gland

²

[gland]

noun

Machinery.

1. a sleeve within a stuffing box, fitted over a shaft or valve stem and tightened against compressible packing in such a way as to prevent leakage of fluid while allowing the shaft or stem to move; lantern ring.

2. stuffing box.

gland

¹

/ ɡlænd /

noun

1. a cell or organ in man 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

gland

²

/ ɡlænd /

noun

1. 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

gland

1. An organ or group of specialized cells in the body that produces and secretes a specific substance, such as a hormone.

2. See also endocrine gland exocrine gland

Other Word Forms

• glandlike adjective
• glandless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gland¹

1685–95; < Latin gland- (stem of glāns acorn); compare Italian ghianda

Origin of gland²

First recorded in 1830–40; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of gland¹

C17: from Latin glāns acorn

Origin of gland²

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Hashimoto’s disease affects the thyroid gland, which is responsible for producing hormones and regulating many bodily functions, according to the Mayo Clinic.

From Los Angeles Times

The hospital nurse told police that children 2 and older are better able to regulate internal body temperature than babies, who do not have fully developed sweat glands, according to the police report.

From Los Angeles Times

These glands help control the amount of certain hormones in your body, including cortisol.

From BBC

Surgeons removed her thyroid gland but did not fully eradicate the cancer, which had spread to her vocal cords, the paper said.

From Los Angeles Times

The ARHGAP36 gene is also active in many other areas of the body including the brain and hormonal glands, and is considered important for development.

From BBC