coagulation

noun

co·​ag·​u·​la·​tion kō-ˌa-gyə-ˈlā-shən 

: the process of becoming viscous or thickened into a coherent mass : the forming of clots (as in blood or cream) : the process of coagulating

… an incision is made on the skin of the forearm with a spring-loaded device, and the time to coagulation is measured.

—Lawrence L. K. Leung

Examples of coagulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once dust enters a disk of gas orbiting a star, Lyra says that a kind of coagulation happens. —Rebecca Ramirez, NPR, 22 June 2024

In addition to blood coagulation, your body needs vitamin K to help maintain strong bones. —Alex Vance, Fortune Well, 4 Nov. 2023

As part of their analysis, the researchers composited the health outcomes into 10 organ systems: cardiovascular, coagulation and hematological, fatigue, gastrointestinal, kidney, mental health, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and pulmonary. —Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2023

Blood clotting, or coagulation, is the process that helps your body reduce bleeding from an injury. —Alex Vance, Fortune Well, 4 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing coagulation

• coagulation factor

Medical Definition

coagulation

noun

co·​ag·​u·​la·​tion kō-ˌag-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: a change to a viscous, jellylike, or solid state

especially : a change from a liquid to a thickened curdlike state not by evaporation but by chemical reaction

the spontaneous coagulation of freshly drawn blood

the coagulation of milk by rennin

b

: the process by which such change of state takes place consisting of the alteration of a soluble substance (as a protein) into an insoluble form or of the flocculation or separation of colloidal or suspended matter

2

: a substance or body formed by coagulation : coagulum

3

: disruption of tissue by physical means (as by application of an electric current) so that denaturation and clumping of protein occur

diathermic coagulation of tissues during surgery to seal bleeding blood vessels

see electrocoagulation, photocoagulation