phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbä-tə-mē 

plural phlebotomies

: the drawing of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures

a company that provides mobile phlebotomy

While scientists struggle to understand the molecular subtleties of hemochromatosis, the clinical treatment of the disorder remains remarkably primitive: serial phlebotomy. That is, weekly bloodletting.

—David A. Shaywitz

Note: Phlebotomy was once widely used to treat many types of disease but is now limited to the treatment of only a few conditions like hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera.

called also venesection

phlebotomist

fli-ˈbä-tə-mist 

noun

Examples of phlebotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Henderson, who was enrolled in a phlebotomy training program at Longview Community College, was pulling into the parking lot in her Ford Escape when she was shot and killed, her SUV rolling to a stop against a curb, according to court documents. — Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

In Florida, the state identified 31 career certificate programs, including phlebotomy, commercial vehicle driving and public-safety roles. — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 2026

There is also a medical assistant program, surgical technology, medical engineering, phlebotomy and health information technology. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

Kellie Brownlow, the chief mission officer for First Step, said the company promises to deliver employees who are on time and ready to work in places like manufacturing plants, warehouses and phlebotomy labs. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fleobotomie, from Middle French flebothomie, from Late Latin phlebotomia, from Greek, from phleb- + -tomia -tomy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phlebotomy

• craniotomy
• dichotomy
• tenotomy
• vagotomy
• episiotomy
• laparotomy
• thoracotomy
• tracheotomy
• ovariotomy

Kids Definition

phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē 

: the removal of blood from a vein chiefly for transfusion or diagnosis and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions

Medical Definition

phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē 

plural phlebotomies

: the letting of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions (as hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera)

called also venesection, venotomy