blood pressure

noun

: pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

The doctor says he has high blood pressure.

These drugs help lower blood pressure.

She has a blood pressure of 120.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the study began, after the control period, and at the end of the four weeks, scientists measured participants’ heart rate, blood pressure, blood markers such as LDL and HDL cholesterol, body composition, and mental well-being. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 17 Apr. 2025

May Protect Heart Health Cinnamon may support heart health by potentially lowering levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in the blood) and reducing blood pressure through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2025

Seven years after the OKC bombing, 60 otherwise healthy survivors had biological stress measures, physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure) and psychological symptoms in response to trauma cues taken. —New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025

Potassium, fiber, and polyphenols make raspberries allies of cardiovascular health, supporting blood pressure regulation. —Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blood pressure

• refresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• thresher

Kids Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels and especially arteries that varies with physical condition and age

Medical Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries, usually measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only

a blood pressure of 120/80

a blood pressure of 120

—abbreviation BP