pancreas

noun

pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
ˈpan-
: a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon
pancreatic adjective

Examples of pancreas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cystic fibrosis was originally named, in fact, for the fibrous cysts that a 1930s pathologist saw in the pancreases of babies who had died. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 The insulin injections help Trevor process blood sugar, which people with Type 1 diabetes cannot do on their own because their pancreases do not produce insulin. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024 Eventually, the pancreas becomes unable to keep up. Knvul Sheikh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024 Stomach cancer is different from other cancers that can occur in the abdominal region, like colon, liver, or pancreas cancer. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024 Lung, colorectal and pancreas cancers cause the most deaths. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 The researchers wanted to see how the participant’s C-peptide levels (which can serve as an indicator of how much insulin the pancreas is producing) changed at the end of the trial. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2023 The pancreas is a large gland behind your stomach that releases digestive acids into your intestines. Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023 In a person with type 2 diabetes, the cells in your muscles, fat and liver don’t respond to insulin properly or your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, so an excess of glucose remains in your bloodstream, which can have dangerous consequences if left untreated. Kaitlyn Phoenix, Good Housekeeping, 8 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pancreas.' 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

New Latin, from Greek pankreas sweetbread, from pan- + kreas flesh, meat — more at raw

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pancreas was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near pancreas

Cite this Entry

“Pancreas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pancreas. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pancreas

noun
pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
ˈpan-
: a large gland of vertebrates that lies near the stomach and produces digestive enzymes and insulin
pancreatic adjective

Medical Definition

pancreas

noun
pan·​cre·​as ˈpaŋ-krē-əs, ˈpan- How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
plural pancreases also pancreata pan-ˈkrē-ət-ə How to pronounce pancreas (audio)
: a large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach and is somewhat hammer-shaped and firmly attached anteriorly to the curve of the duodenum with which it communicates through one or more pancreatic ducts and that consists of (1) tubular acini secreting digestive enzymes which pass to the intestine and function in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; (2) modified acinar cells that form islets of Langerhans between the tubules and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon; and (3) a firm connective-tissue capsule that extends supportive strands into the organ

More from Merriam-Webster on pancreas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!