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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eating a healthy, low-sodium diet can help prevent spikes in blood pressure. Mill Etienne, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Like body temperature and blood pressure, walking speed provides insights into a person’s overall well-being.9 Studies have linked slow gait speed with accelerated aging, dementia risk, and poor outcomes during certain surgeries.101112 Slow gait speed can also predict fall risk. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024 Some research points to other cardiovascular benefits such as lower cholesterol and blood pressure, as in Ramey-Torres’s case. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 9 Dec. 2024 In more severe cases, a serious allergic reaction, which is known as anaphylaxis, can include swelling of the throat, a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for blood pressure 

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blood pressure was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near blood pressure

Cite this Entry

“Blood pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blood%20pressure. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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
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