parotid gland

noun

: a serous salivary gland situated on each side of the face below and in front of the ear

Examples of parotid gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mumps symptoms include discomfort and swelling of the salivary glands in the front of the neck or the parotid glands in front of the ears. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2019 Grunewald had surgery for the first time in her life, in which doctors removed the tumor in her parotid gland. Samantha Bresnahan, CNN, 14 Mar. 2018 Mumps can cause serious complications Mumps is a viral illness that affects the saliva-producing glands (called the parotid glands) in the face and neck. Amanda MacMillan, Health.com, 7 Mar. 2018

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

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parotid gland was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near parotid gland

Cite this Entry

“Parotid gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parotid%20gland. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parotid gland

noun
: either of a pair of large salivary glands located below and in front of the ear

Medical Definition

parotid gland

noun
: a salivary gland that is situated on each side of the face below and in front of the ear, in humans is the largest of the salivary glands, is of pure serous type, and communicates with the mouth by the parotid duct

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