clot

1 of 2

noun

1
: a portion of a substance adhering together in a thick nondescript mass (as of clay or gum)
2
a
: a roundish viscous lump formed by coagulation of a portion of liquid or by melting
b
: a coagulated mass produced by clotting of blood
3
British : blockhead
4
: cluster, group
a clot of spectators

clot

2 of 2

verb

clotted; clotting

intransitive verb

1
: to become a clot : form clots
2
: to undergo a sequence of complex chemical and physical reactions that results in conversion of fluid blood into a coagulated mass : coagulate

transitive verb

1
: to cause to form into or as if into a clot
2
: to fill with clots
also : clog
clotted streets

Examples of clot in a Sentence

Noun We were told that his stroke was caused by a clot in his brain. a clot of daisies occupied one corner of the flower bed Verb medications that prevent blood from clotting substances that help to clot blood
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ryan White: Fear and discrimination, but not at Riley Ryan White was tiny, six days old, when his health battles began, diagnosed with severe hemophilia, a condition in which the ability of the blood to clot is critically reduced, causing extreme bleeding, even from a slight injury. Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Oct. 2024 There were no apparent masses or clots in my brain. Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024
Verb
Besides lowering blood sugar, metformin reduces viral load and pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to clotting. Judy Stone, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 This is especially true for people with bleeding disorders who lack platelets or clotting factors to stem bleeding. James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clot 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English clott; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, ball — more at clout

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clot was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near clot

Cite this Entry

“Clot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clot. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

clot

1 of 2 noun
: a mass or lump made by a liquid (as blood) that thickens and sticks together

clot

2 of 2 verb
clotted; clotting
: to become or cause to become a clot : form clots

Medical Definition

clot

1 of 2 noun
: a coagulated mass produced by clotting of blood

clot

2 of 2 verb
clotted; clotting

intransitive verb

: to undergo a sequence of complex chemical and physical reactions that results in conversion of fluid blood into a coagulum and that involves shedding of blood, release of thromboplastin from blood platelets and injured tissues, inactivation of heparin by thromboplastin permitting calcium ions of the plasma to convert prothrombin to thrombin, interaction of thrombin with fibrinogen to form an insoluble fibrin network in which blood cells and plasma are trapped, and contraction of the network to squeeze out excess fluid : coagulate

transitive verb

: to cause to form into or as if into a clot

More from Merriam-Webster on clot

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