Is 'gland' only used in a medical context?

No. While most common in biology and medicine, it also has a specific meaning in mechanical engineering for a sealing device.

What's the difference between a 'gland' and a 'lymph node'?

All lymph nodes are glands (lymphatic glands), but not all glands are lymph nodes. 'Gland' is a broader term for any secretory organ (e.g., salivary, thyroid). In illness, 'swollen glands' often means swollen lymph nodes.

Can 'gland' be used as a verb?

No, 'gland' is exclusively a noun in modern English. The related adjective is 'glandular'.

Why is 'glandular fever' called that?

The name 'glandular fever' (common in BrE) comes from one of its primary symptoms: swelling of the lymph glands (nodes). Its medical name is infectious mononucleosis.

How do you pronounce “gland”?

Gland: in British English it is pronounced /ɡlænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡlænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

gland: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ɡlænd/US/ɡlænd/

Primarily technical/medical/scientific; neutral when used in general health contexts.

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “gland” mean?

An organ in the body that produces and releases a substance (such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva) for use in or discharge from the body.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

An organ in the body that produces and releases a substance (such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva) for use in or discharge from the body.

In mechanics/engineering, a device (e.g., a gland nut or seal) for preventing leakage of fluid along a moving part such as a rotating shaft or piston rod. This technical usage draws an analogy to the body's sealing and secretion functions.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in core meaning. Colloquially, BrE might more commonly refer to 'glands' in the neck when ill (e.g., 'my glands are up'), while AmE might specify 'lymph nodes'. Spelling identical.

Connotations

Identical. Evokes biology, health, and illness.

Frequency

Equally frequent in technical/medical contexts in both varieties. Slight potential for higher everyday frequency in BrE regarding childhood illnesses (e.g., 'glandular fever' which is 'mono' or 'mononucleosis' in AmE).

Grammar

How to Use “gland” in a Sentence

[verb] + gland: secrete/produce from a gland, stimulate a gland, examine a gland[adjective] + gland: swollen/enlarged/overactive/underactive glandgland + [verb]: a gland secretes/produces/releasesgland + [preposition]: gland in the neck, gland of the body

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

salivary glandpituitary glandthyroid glandswollen glandsadrenal glandsebaceous gland

medium

enlarged glandendocrine glandexocrine glandrelease from a glandgland tissuemaster gland

weak

important glandsmall glandaffected glandremove a glandcheck the glands

Examples

Examples of “gland” in a Sentence

verb

British English

(Rare/obsolete) Not in standard use.

American English

(Rare/obsolete) Not in standard use.

adverb

British English

(Not derived) No standard adverbial form.

American English

(Not derived) No standard adverbial form.

adjective

British English

The glandular tissue was analysed.
He had a glandular fever infection.

American English

The glandular tissue was biopsied.
She was diagnosed with a glandular disorder.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in pharmaceutical/medical device industries (e.g., 'targeting gland function').

Academic

Core term in biology, medicine, anatomy, and physiology.

Everyday

Used in general health discussions (e.g., 'The doctor said my glands are swollen.').

Technical

Precise term in medicine, endocrinology, and mechanical engineering (sealing gland).

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “gland”

Strong

node (context-specific for lymph glands)secreter

Neutral

organsecretory organ

Weak

part structure

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “gland”

duct (carries secretion, does not produce)receptor (receives signal, does not secrete)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “gland”

Using 'gland' as a non-count noun (e.g., 'I have problem with my gland' – should be 'glands' or 'a gland').
Confusing 'gland' with 'node' or 'organ' without the secretory specificity.
Mispronouncing as /ɡlɑːnd/ (like 'glance') instead of /ɡlænd/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. While most common in biology and medicine, it also has a specific meaning in mechanical engineering for a sealing device.
: All lymph nodes are glands (lymphatic glands), but not all glands are lymph nodes. 'Gland' is a broader term for any secretory organ (e.g., salivary, thyroid). In illness, 'swollen glands' often means swollen lymph nodes.
: No, 'gland' is exclusively a noun in modern English. The related adjective is 'glandular'.
: The name 'glandular fever' (common in BrE) comes from one of its primary symptoms: swelling of the lymph glands (nodes). Its medical name is infectious mononucleosis.
: An organ in the body that produces and releases a substance (such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva) for use in or discharge from the body.
: Gland is usually primarily technical/medical/scientific; neutral when used in general health contexts. in register.
: Gland: in British English it is pronounced /ɡlænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡlænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“glandular fever (BrE for infectious mononucleosis)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a GLAND as a GLAND that GLANDS out substances – it's a GLANDular job.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE BODY IS A FACTORY: Glands are production units or quality control stations secreting vital products.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Hormones are chemical messengers produced and secreted directly into the bloodstream by glands.

Multiple Choice

In which field would you MOST likely encounter the term 'gland' referring to a mechanical seal?