Your liver is a large organ in your body which processes your blood and helps to clean unwanted substances out of it.
2. variable noun
Liver is the liver of some animals, especially lambs, pigs, and cows, which is cooked and eaten.
...grilled calves' liver.
liver in British English1
(ˈlɪvə)
noun
1.
a multilobed highly vascular reddish-brown glandular organ occupying most of the upper right part of the human abdominal cavity immediately below the diaphragm. It secretes bile, stores glycogen, detoxifies certain poisons, and plays an important part in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat, helping to maintain a correct balance of nutrients
▶ Related adjective: hepatic
2.
the corresponding organ in animals
3.
the liver of certain animals used as food
4.
a reddish-brown colour, sometimes with a greyish tinge
Derived forms
liverless (ˈliverless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English lifer; related to Old High German lebrav, Old Norse lefr, Greek liparos fat
liver in British English2
(ˈlɪvə)
noun
a person who lives in a specified way
a fast liver
liver in American English1
(ˈlɪvər)
noun
1.
the largest glandular organ in vertebrate animals, located in the upper or anterior part of the abdomen: it secretes bile, has an important function in the storage and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and helps detoxify many poisonous substances that may be ingested
2. Loosely
a similar organ or tissue in invertebrate animals
3.
the liver of cattle, fowl, etc., used as food
4.
the reddish-brown color of liver
5. Archaic
the liver thought of as the seat of emotion or desire
Word origin
ME livere < OE lifer, akin to Ger leber < ? IE base *leip-, to smear with fat > Gr liparos, fat
liver in American English2
(ˈlɪvər)
noun
a person who lives (in a specified way or place)
a clean liver
Examples of 'liver' in a sentence
liver
Soon her kidneys and liver were failing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Besides, liver problems do not commonly cause lower back pain.
The Sun (2016)
Add the chicken livers and cook for another 10 min or until the livers are cooked through.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I like to reserve the livers and hearts to use in other recipes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The trend of serving chicken livers rare is exposing the public to the risk of food poisoning, research suggests.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A simple blood test can pick up both as well as excluding other issues such as liver or kidney disease.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Those fed beer with hops had less build-up of fat in their liver, making it easier to clear toxins from the blood.
The Sun (2016)
Having a comfortable life is no protector of the liver and heart.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The reason cod liver oil tastes the way it does is simply because it is actually rancid.
Erdmann, Robert & Jones, Meirion Fats, Nutrition and Health (1991)
The realisation that lung and liver tumours are not the same has already improved oncology.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Another clue is supplied by tasting cod liver oil.
Erdmann, Robert & Jones, Meirion Fats, Nutrition and Health (1991)
It was also linked to liver problems by the study.
The Sun (2008)
Just the ticket with smoked salmon or a rich chicken liver pâté.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And often kidney and liver damage too.
The Sun (2014)
Some experts recommend a daily dose of cod liver oil.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
Liver organ donations are limited in this country so transplants are used only to save lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It has the potential to spread beyond the skin to other organs like the liver or the brain.
The Sun (2013)
With heart and liver repairs we are looking at a longer term of five years or so before treatment becomes available.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Forget cod liver oil and supplements.
The Sun (2015)
The build-up of fat around the liver cells leads to inflammation and scarring of the organ.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Other effects include high blood pressure and damage to the liver, kidneys and heart.
The Sun (2014)
Since then she has had operations on her bowel, liver and lungs.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I know that cod liver oil is good for you.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Go cheaper by using things such as frozen prawns and chicken livers, or more expensive by including lobster or crab.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
liver
British English: liver /ˈlɪvə/ NOUN
Your liver is a large organ in your body which cleans your blood.