transfusion

noun

trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce transfusion (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of transfusing
especially : the process of transfusing fluid (such as blood) into a vein or artery
2
: something transfused
transfusional adjective

Did you know?

When blood transfusions were first attempted by Europeans in the early 1600s, they were met with skepticism, since the established practice was to bleed patients, not transfuse them with blood. Some patients were transfused with animal blood, and so many died as a result that by 1700 transfusions had been widely outlawed. Not until 1900 were the major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) recognized, making transfusions safe and effective.

Examples of transfusion in a Sentence

Without a transfusion her chances of survival were slim.
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.
Internal bleeding means Denny will need an emergency transfusion, and thankfully Karen and her type A blood are right there to assist. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024 It was named after Charles R. Drew, a distinguished surgeon and former chair of surgery at Howard University whose work focused on blood banking and blood plasma storage and transfusion. Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024 The seemingly benign therapy of periodic transfusions carries its own risks, including a toxic overload of iron that has to be scavenged from the body. Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Hundreds of hospitals across the Southeast faced disruptions to their ability to obtain blood for transfusions after nonprofit OneBlood, a donation service, fell victim to a ransomware attack. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transfusion 

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of transfusion was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near transfusion

Cite this Entry

“Transfusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfusion. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

transfusion

noun
trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce transfusion (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of transfusing
especially : the process of transfusing a fluid and especially blood into a blood vessel
2
: something transfused

Medical Definition

transfusion

noun
trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən How to pronounce transfusion (audio)
1
: the process of transfusing fluid (as blood) into a vein or artery
2
: something transfused

More from Merriam-Webster on transfusion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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