anemia

noun

ane·​mia ə-ˈnē-mē-ə 

1

a

: a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume

b

: ischemia

2

: lack of vitality

Examples of anemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Combining these ingredients led to an improvement in hemoglobin levels (a measurement of a protein in the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body), whose low levels can indicate anemia. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025

Early in his treatment, tests showed the chemo had worsened Olson’s anemia. —J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 20 Dec. 2024

Chief Ed Winter determined Murphy’s death to be caused by pneumonia combined with anemia, suspicions arose surrounding her grieving husband. —Alex Gurley, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Iron deficiency anemia, causing a lack of healthy red blood cells, is also associated with reduced cognitive development in children. —Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek anaimia bloodlessness, from a- + -aimia -emia

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing anemia

• anti-anemia
• aplastic anemia
• Cooley's anemia
• hemolytic anemia
• pernicious anemia
• sickle cell anemia

Kids Definition

anemia

noun

ane·​mia ə-ˈnē-mē-ə 

: a condition in which the blood has less than the normal amount of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total volume and which is usually marked by weakness, exhaustion, pale skin, shortness of breath, and abnormal heartbeat

anemic

-mik

adjective

Medical Definition

anemia

noun

ane·​mia

variants or chiefly British anaemia

ə-ˈnē-mē-ə 

1

: a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume see aplastic anemia, hyperchromic anemia, hypochromic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, microcytic anemia, pernicious anemia, sickle cell anemia compare oligocythemia

2

: ischemia

anemic adjective

or chiefly British anaemic

ə-ˈnē-mik 

anemically adverb

or chiefly British anaemically

-mi-k(ə-)lē