hematology

noun

he·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌhē-mə-ˈtä-lə-jē 

: a medical science that deals with the blood and blood-forming organs

hematologist

ˌhē-mə-ˈtä-lə-jist 

noun

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Blood is basic to almost all the body's functions, and a blood test can reveal more about your physical condition than almost any other kind of examination, so hematology is an important medical specialty, with many separate subjects. Since blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, the bones are one important focus for hematologists. The coagulation, or thickening, of the blood is another important subject, since coagulation is what keeps us from bleeding to death from even small wounds. And there are dozens of serious blood diseases, including anemia (a lack of red blood cells) and leukemia (cancer involving a buildup of white blood cells).

Examples of hematology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Swift, 34, visited children on the hospital's hematology and oncology floor, local news station KCTV 5 reported. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The company aims to concentrate on crucial investment areas such as oncology, immunology, hematology, neurology, and vaccines. —Joe Cornell, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Medical personnel is awaiting histology, biopsies, cultures, blood hematology and chemistry, and toxicology testing. —Antonio Planas, NBC News, 14 June 2024

Blood Shortages and Cancer Care Many cancer and hematology patients need blood transfusions as part of their treatment. —Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1811, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hematology

noun

he·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy

variants or chiefly British haematology

ˌhē-mə-ˈtäl-ə-jē 

plural hematologies

: a medical science that deals with the blood and blood-forming organs

hematologist noun

or chiefly British haematologist

-jəst