adrenal

1 of 2

noun

ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrē-nᵊl How to pronounce adrenal (audio)
: adrenal gland

adrenal

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretions
adrenal steroids

Examples of adrenal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Social media is optimized to spike your adrenals with monkey fear. — WIRED, 8 Aug. 2023 In the short term, cortisol secretion can be a good thing—a very good things, which is why your adrenals can secrete it in the first place. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
The pit of the adrenal gland is the adrenal medulla. — Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2026 Real adrenal disorders show up on lab tests, and ‘adrenal fatigue’ doesn't. — Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adrenal

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of adrenal entry 2

Adjective

ad- + (supra)renal entry 1 (describing the location of the gland)

First Known Use

Noun

1863, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adrenal was in 1863

Phrases Containing adrenal

Rhymes for adrenal

See All Rhymes for adrenal

Browse Nearby Words

adren-
adrenal
adrenal corticotrophic hormone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adrenal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adrenal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adrenal

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrē-nᵊl How to pronounce adrenal (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretions

adrenal

2 of 2 noun
: adrenal gland

Medical Definition

adrenal

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​re·​nal ə-ˈdrēn-ᵊl How to pronounce adrenal (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from the adrenal glands or their secretion
adrenally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce adrenal (audio)
adverb

adrenal

2 of 2 noun
: adrenal gland

More from Merriam-Webster on adrenal

Nglish: Translation of adrenal for Spanish Speakers

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