transfusion

noun

trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən 

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

tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zh(ə-)nəl 

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

But the organization is retaining its wider prohibition against receiving transfusions of others' blood -- a procedure routinely used with patients after accidents, violence or other blood loss. —Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026

Autologous blood is blood donated by a patient who can receive it back if a transfusion is needed during or after surgery. —ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

Jehovah’s Witnesses announced members may now store and use their own blood for surgery, marking the first significant shift in the religion’s 75-year transfusion prohibition. —Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

Depending on the poison, other treatments and supportive care measures (such as oxygen and blood product transfusions) might also be needed. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transfusion

• blood transfusion

Rhymes for transfusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion

Kids Definition

transfusion

noun

trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən 

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 

1

: the process of transfusing fluid (as blood) into a vein or artery

2

: something transfused