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

Authorities took from the property two types of medication for blood pressure and thyroid issues as well as Tylenol, according to an inventory filed in a Santa Fe court. —Alex Sundby, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025

However, people who fail to control their blood pressure or blood sugar will commonly see a steady decline in their eGFR. —Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025

There is also some evidence to suggest that isometric exercises may decrease blood pressure. —Amber Sayer, Outside Online, 24 Feb. 2025

Likewise, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet) has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. —Kailey Asetov, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 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