lifeblood

noun

life·​blood ˈlīf-ˈbləd How to pronounce lifeblood (audio)
-ˌbləd
1
: blood regarded as the seat of vitality
2
: a vital or life-giving force or component
freedom of inquiry is the lifeblood of a university

Examples of lifeblood in a Sentence

The town's lifeblood has always been its fishing industry. The neighborhoods are the lifeblood of this city. the lifeblood that flows through his veins
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.
Focus on finances Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, enabling it not just to keep ticking over day to day but also providing it with the resource to develop and grow. Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 For my members who run factories, educational institutions, health care facilities, cyber security and data centers, hospitality, and large retail operations, electricity is the lifeblood of their operations. Barry Lee Cohen, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025 Perhaps most important of all, the ocean is the lifeblood of coastal communities, cultures and economies from Alaska to the Gulf, from West Coast to East. John Racanelli, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025 But viewership metrics are of significant importance for sports leagues, given that the money from media rights-holders represents the financial lifeblood of the sport. Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lifeblood

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeblood was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifeblood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeblood. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeblood

noun
life·​blood ˈlīf-ˈbləd How to pronounce lifeblood (audio)
: something that gives strength and energy

More from Merriam-Webster on lifeblood

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