plasma

noun

plas·​ma ˈplaz-mə 

1

: a green faintly translucent quartz

2

[New Latin, from Late Latin]

a

: the fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk as distinguished from suspended material

especially : blood plasma

b

: the juice that can be expressed from muscle

3

: protoplasm

4

: a collection of charged particles (as in the atmospheres of stars or in a metal) containing about equal numbers of positive ions and electrons and exhibiting some properties of a gas but differing from a gas in being a good conductor of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field

5

: a display (such as a television screen) consisting of discrete cells of plasma sandwiched between two layers of glass and electrodes such that each cell emits light when it receives an electric current

plasmatic

plaz-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of plasma in a Sentence

the plasma that makes up a star

Our new TV is a 50-inch plasma.

Recent Examples on the Web

Green Coffee Bean Extract has been shown to: Boost fatty acid oxidation Increase lipolysis inside fat cells Elevate levels of plasma adiponectin Why not just drink coffee? —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Herro, who has missed the last 10 games, received a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday to treat his injured right foot and will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks, according to multiple league sources. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024

In a digital studio with plasma screen walls, Zakaria dives into global issues with scholars, U.S. presidents, and even the occasional celebrity. —Kelefa Sanneh, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024

During the livestream, a vibrant halo of bright red plasma, created by extreme heat and pressure as Starship entered the atmosphere, could be seen glowing around the vehicle. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024

Charged particles known as plasma create space weather that interacts with an upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere, called the ionosphere. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

The story is also underwhelming, consisting of two unrelated subplots about mutant insects growing to gigantic size after being exposed to a plasma energy experiment, and a cockeyed plot to kill Godzilla by sucking him into a portable black hole. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024

CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun that reach Earth within 15 to 18 hours. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024

One of the crew members then used the plasma cutter to cut a piece out of the top of the tire as sparks flew out. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German, from Late Latin, something molded, from Greek, from plassein to mold — more at plaster

First Known Use

1517, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plasma

• blood plasma
• convalescent plasma
• plasma cell
• plasma jet
• plasma membrane
• plasma torch

Kids Definition

plasma

noun

plas·​ma ˈplaz-mə 

1

: the watery part of blood, lymph, or milk

2

: a collection of charged particles that shows some characteristics of a gas but that differs from a gas in being a good conductor of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field

Medical Definition

plasma

noun

plas·​ma ˈplaz-mə 

1

a

: the fluid part especially of blood, lymph, or milk that is distinguished from suspended material see blood plasma

b

: the juice that can be expressed from muscle

2

: protoplasm

3

: a mixture of starch and gel used as an ointment base