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gland

3 synonyms and 0 antonyms 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.

secretor secreter secretory organ

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.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.