liver

1 of 2

noun (1)

liv·​er ˈli-vər How to pronounce liver (audio)
1
a
: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood (as by converting sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required and by forming urea)
b
: any of various large compound glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate animals and probably concerned with the secretion of digestive enzymes
2
archaic : a determinant of the quality or temper of a man
3
: the liver of an animal (such as a calf or chicken) eaten as food
4
: a grayish reddish brown

called also liver brown, liver maroon

liver

2 of 2

noun (2)

liv·​er ˈli-vər How to pronounce liver (audio)
1
: one that lives especially in a specified way
a fast liver
2
: resident

Examples of liver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
So taking ibuprofen can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease or failure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their kidneys, such as high blood pressure or heart failure. —Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024 Possible Detoxification Effects The body can detoxify itself naturally with help from your liver. —Rachel Swalin, Health, 7 Apr. 2024 But in Dorothy’s case, she was born with her fallopian tubes, kidneys, stomach, liver, ovaries, and intestines, on the outside of her stomach. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024 Jean-Paul Vignon, a French actor and vocalist who frequently lent his Gallic accent to Hollywood productions, died of liver cancer on March 22 in Beverly Hills, Calif. —Jaden Thompson, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024 They've been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers. —Jim Salter, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024 Up to a third of Americans have fat build up in the liver and in about 2-5% that fat build up has already caused inflammation and liver cell damage. —Victoria Forster, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 Initial necropsy findings released the day after what onlookers described as a deadly building strike suggested Flaco had sustained an acute traumatic injury to his body, with signs of substantial hemorrhage under his sternum and in his back near his liver. —Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024 However, the numbers moved in a different direction for alcoholic liver disease, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. —Kunle Falayi, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English lifer; akin to Old High German lebra liver

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of liver was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing liver

Dictionary Entries Near liver

live paycheck to paycheck

liver

liverberry

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Liver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liver. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

liver

1 of 2 noun
liv·​er ˈliv-ər How to pronounce liver (audio)
1
a
: a large glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes changes in the blood (as by changing sugars into glycogen and by forming urea)
b
: any of various large probably digestive glands of invertebrate animals
2
: the liver of an animal (as of a calf or chicken) eaten as food

liver

2 of 2 noun
liv·​er ˈliv-ər How to pronounce liver (audio)
: one that lives especially in a specified way

Medical Definition

liver

noun
liv·​er ˈliv-ər How to pronounce liver (audio)
1
a
: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood which passes through it (as by converting sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required and by forming urea), that in humans is the largest gland in the body, weighs from 40 to 60 ounces (1100 to 1700 grams), is a dark red color, and occupies the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity immediately below the diaphragm, that is divided by fissures into five lobes, and that receives blood both from the hepatic artery and the portal vein and returns it to the systemic circulation by the hepatic veins
b
: any of various large compound glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate animals and probably concerned with the secretion of digestive enzymes
2
: the liver of an animal (as a calf or pig) eaten as food or used as a source of pharmaceutical products (as liver extract)
3
: disease or disorder of the liver : biliousness

More from Merriam-Webster on liver

Nglish: Translation of liver for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of liver for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liver

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