gland
3 synonyms for gland, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An organ or group of cells in the body that produces and releases a substance, such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gland
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sweat gland
thyroid gland
swollen glands
Etymology
Borrowed in the late 1600s from French glande, ultimately from Latin glandula, "little acorn" — glands were named for their shape.
Full origin of gland →Frequently asked questions
What does “gland” mean?
The word “gland” means an organ or group of cells in the body that produces and releases a substance, such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva. In plain terms, a body part (or, in engineering, a seal) that controls the release of a substance.
How do you pronounce “gland”?
“Gland” is pronounced gland (/ɡlænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “gland” in a sentence?
Here is “gland” used in a sentence: “The thyroid is a gland in the neck that regulates metabolism.”
What part of speech is “gland”?
“Gland” is a noun.
Where does the word “gland” come from?
The word “gland” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin. Borrowed in the late 1600s from French glande, ultimately from Latin glandula, "little acorn" — glands were named for their shape.
Is “gland” a common word?
“Gland” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gland” have?
“Gland” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organ or group of cells in the body that produces and releases a substance, such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva.
