adrenal

American  

[uh-dreen-l] / əˈdrin l /

adjective

1. of or produced by the adrenal glands.

2. situated near or on the kidneys; suprarenal.

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noun

1. adrenal gland.

adrenal British  

/ əˈdriːnəl /

adjective

1. on or near the kidneys

2. of or relating to the adrenal glands or their secretions

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noun

1. an adrenal gland

Other Word Forms

• adrenally adverb

Etymology

Origin of adrenal

1870–75; ad- + Latin rēn- (stem of rēnēs kidneys) + -al ¹

Explanation

The adjective adrenal describes something near the kidneys. The adrenal glands control the release of stress hormones in the body. Adrenal is a scientific term describing a pair of endocrine glands that sit at the top of the kidneys in the human body. These glands control the way the kidneys work, as well as affecting stress hormones like adrenaline. The word adrenal, "of or near the kidneys," comes from Latin roots: ad-, "at or near," and renes, "kidneys."

Example Sentences

Neurocrine already markets Crenessity, an oral CRF1 receptor antagonist used to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is a collection of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

A phaeochromocytoma is a rare tumour of the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys, the NHS says.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

“Copenhagen” taps the adrenal gland by keeping viewers off balance about who is who and what is what, beginning with the opening subtitles: President—and former CIA director—George H.W.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Unlike a single cortisol test, which reflects stress at just one point in time, the size of the adrenal glands functions more like a long-term gauge of chronic stress.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2025

She staggered into the gray zone, carrying boxes of supplies, and felt a sweeping adrenal rush, and thought, I’m too young to be going through this.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston