bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈbla-dər 

1

a

: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas

especially : urinary bladder

b

: a gas- or air-filled vesicle in certain algae and aquatic plants (such as rockweed) : air bladder sense b

2

: something (such as the rubber bag inside a football) resembling a bladder

bladderlike

ˈbla-dər-līk 

adjective

Examples of bladder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No cause was provided, although Lesh had a liver transplant in 1998 to combat hepatitis C and battled both prostate and bladder cancer over the years. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 25 Oct. 2024

If that sounds like you, keep reading for expert tips on putting your restless bladder to bed, once and for all. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 22 Oct. 2024

Stage 4 is when the stone passes from the bladder into the urethra, the tube through which urine exits the body. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

Mammograms Should Start at Age 40, New Guidelines Say Difficulty Urinating Difficulty urinating can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer, most often when the cancer has spread to the bones of the spine or the pelvis, compressing the nerves that control the bladder and urinary function. —Julie Scott, Msn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English blǣdre; akin to Old High German blātara bladder, Old English blāwan to blow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bladder

• bladder kelp
• giant bladder kelp
• urinary bladder

Kids Definition

bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈblad-ər 

1

: a pouch in an animal in which a liquid or gas is stored

especially : one into which urine passes from the kidneys and is stored temporarily until discharged by way of the urethra

2

: something resembling a bladder

especially : a bag or container that can be blown up with air

bladderlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Medical Definition

bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈblad-ər 

1

: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas

especially : urinary bladder

2

: a vesicle or pouch forming part of an animal body

the bladder of a tapeworm larva