often attributive
1
a(1)
: the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body
(2)
: a comparable fluid of an invertebrate
b
: a fluid resembling blood
2
: the shedding of blood
also
: the taking of life
3
4
a(1)
: blood regarded as the seat of the emotions : temper
Chide him for his faults, and do it reverently, / When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth; / But, being moody, give him line and scope …—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
(2)
: the one of the four humors (see humor entry 1 sense 2c) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be hot and moist and to cause cheerfulness and optimism
b
obsolete
: lust
c
: a man who dresses showily and behaves in an immoral or improper way : rake
5
: members of a team, staff, or organization : personnel
a company in need of new blood
6
informal
: an African American male
—used especially among Black people
blooded; blooding; bloods
1
: to stain or wet with blood
2
archaic
: bleed sense 1
3
: to expose (a hunting dog) to sight, scent, or taste of the blood of its prey
4
: to give experience to
troops blooded in battle
Synonyms
Examples of blood in a Sentence
Noun
The accident victim has already lost a lot of blood.
the blood in your veins
Recent Examples on the WebDaryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The first, on April 4, involved the surgical insertion of a device called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which helps pump blood from the lower left heart chamber to the rest of the body.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Later that month, U.S. officials revealed that the Russian military had moved blood supplies to the border of Ukraine, suggesting that war was imminent.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
When the world’s best heart surgeon is found dead with someone else’s blood on his scrubs, the man to solve the mystery has to be Dr. Emmett Trowbridge, aka Alden Parker (Gary Cole).
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2024
But then, an ominous realization washed over me: Sharks plus blood in the water equals not good news.
—Chris Spinder, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
Learn about the Student of the Week nominees: Daphne Powell, J. Graham Brown School: Daphne is faced with a rare blood disease yet is one of the only divers on our school swim/dive team.
—The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024
During an investigation, police discovered evidence that Cox had attempted to clean the crime scene, including empty bleach bottles, and blood stains on the room’s sink, tub, and towels.
—Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
Pro 2, $200 The benefits of massage guns A really good massage gun can target both large and small muscle groups to provide an intensive deep tissue massage–breaking up scar tissue and increasing blood flow to release stress, increase range of motion, and improve recovery time.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024
Henry Flynn, Forbes, 4 May 2023
But why would blood even travel that long via drone, anyways?
—Lauren Sigfusson, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2017
Having a hepatitis B or C infection can also be a trigger, as can blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Aug. 2022
Haji believes Vipingo Ridge's efforts to blood the next generation of golfing talent are reflective of the sport's increasing popularity in Kenya.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 May 2022
How long after getting the J&J vaccine can blood clots occur?
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2021
The challenge of 2020 will be starting to blood them in the big leagues without overwhelming them, allowing the players to finish their development at a reasonable pace.
—Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 7 Apr. 2021
Some COVID-19 patients have been found to have blood oxygen levels below 65%.
—Mark Johnson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2020
Noun
Abdominal hematomas are also serious and often manifest as blood in the urine or stool.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The first, on April 4, involved the surgical insertion of a device called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which helps pump blood from the lower left heart chamber to the rest of the body.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Later that month, U.S. officials revealed that the Russian military had moved blood supplies to the border of Ukraine, suggesting that war was imminent.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
When the world’s best heart surgeon is found dead with someone else’s blood on his scrubs, the man to solve the mystery has to be Dr. Emmett Trowbridge, aka Alden Parker (Gary Cole).
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2024
But then, an ominous realization washed over me: Sharks plus blood in the water equals not good news.
—Chris Spinder, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024
Learn about the Student of the Week nominees: Daphne Powell, J. Graham Brown School: Daphne is faced with a rare blood disease yet is one of the only divers on our school swim/dive team.
—The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024
During an investigation, police discovered evidence that Cox had attempted to clean the crime scene, including empty bleach bottles, and blood stains on the room’s sink, tub, and towels.
—Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
Pro 2, $200 The benefits of massage guns A really good massage gun can target both large and small muscle groups to provide an intensive deep tissue massage–breaking up scar tissue and increasing blood flow to release stress, increase range of motion, and improve recovery time.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024
Verb
Lately, coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided against blooding players from the Castilla youth setup, namely Álvaro Rodríguez, Sergio Arribas, Carlos Dotor, and Nico Paz, like in the loss to Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián on Tuesday.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes, 4 May 2023
But why would blood even travel that long via drone, anyways?
—Lauren Sigfusson, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2017
Having a hepatitis B or C infection can also be a trigger, as can blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Aug. 2022
Haji believes Vipingo Ridge's efforts to blood the next generation of golfing talent are reflective of the sport's increasing popularity in Kenya.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 May 2022
How long after getting the J&J vaccine can blood clots occur?
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2021
The challenge of 2020 will be starting to blood them in the big leagues without overwhelming them, allowing the players to finish their development at a reasonable pace.
—Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 7 Apr. 2021
Some COVID-19 patients have been found to have blood oxygen levels below 65%.
—Mark Johnson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blood. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
blood
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the red fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal and that brings nourishment and oxygen to and carries away waste products from all parts of the body
b
: a fluid resembling blood
2
a
: lineage sense 2, descent
especially
: royal lineage
b
: relationship through a common ancestor : kinship
blood
2 of 2 verb
: to give experience to
Etymology
Noun
Old English blōd "blood"
Verb
from an earlier sense, meaning "to smear the face of an inexperienced fox hunter with blood of the fox killed on his first hunt"
Medical Definition
blood
noun1
: the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body
2
: a fluid of an invertebrate comparable to blood
3
: the one of the four humors (see humor sense 2) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be hot and moist and to cause cheerfulness and optimism
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