universal donor

noun

: a person with blood group O blood which can be donated to any recipient
also : the blood of such a person

Examples of universal donor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
What blood type is the universal donor? Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2023 Those with this blood type are considered universal donors since O negative can be used in emergency situations for transfusions on any blood type. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2023 If his vital signs budged, type O negative blood—the universal donor—would have to go in. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2011 Luckily, there is a universal donor that can be used on everyone. Caitlin McLean, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2022 According to the American Red Cross, O negative blood is the universal donor. Caitlin McLean, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2022 Cheryl and Bobbie didn’t have the same blood type; however, as Type O, Cheryl was a universal donor. Stephanie Mansfield, Good Housekeeping, 11 Aug. 2022 Type A blood converted to universal donor blood with help from bacterial enzymes Get more great content like this delivered right to you! Alex Fox, Science | AAAS, 14 June 2019 Blood drive Friday at veterans center A universal donor blood drive in honor of Beverly Woyton with the San Diego Blood Bank is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Veterans Association of North County, 1617 Mission Ave. San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of universal donor was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near universal donor

Cite this Entry

“Universal donor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universal%20donor. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

universal donor

noun
: a person with blood group O blood which can be donated to any recipient

Medical Definition

universal donor

noun
1
: a person who has Rh-negative blood of the blood group O and whose blood can be donated to any recipient
broadly : a person with blood group O blood
2
: the blood or blood group of a universal donor
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