blood pressure

noun

: pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

The doctor says he has high blood pressure.

These drugs help lower blood pressure.

She has a blood pressure of 120.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though each offers heart-healthy benefits, research suggests beet juice may have a stronger effect on lowering blood pressure. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 20 Apr. 2026

Oregano is an herb that some research suggests could help lower and maintain healthy blood pressure. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026

Regular physical activity helps reduce blood pressure, eases arthritic pain, combats chronic illness and lifts your mood. —Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026

Gleed reportedly alleged in her lawsuit that after she was given the dose, her heart rate fell to about 25 beats per minute and her blood pressure spiked. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blood pressure

• refresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• thresher

Kids Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels and especially arteries that varies with physical condition and age

Medical Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries, usually measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only

a blood pressure of 120/80

a blood pressure of 120

—abbreviation BP