anticoagulant

noun

an·​ti·​co·​ag·​u·​lant ˌan-tē-kō-ˈa-gyə-lənt How to pronounce anticoagulant (audio) ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anticoagulant (audio)
: a substance that hinders the clotting of blood : blood thinner
anticoagulant adjective

Examples of anticoagulant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Luckily, physicians had already stocked the I.S.S. with a 40-day emergency supply of anticoagulants, among other medications, just in case. Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 Depending on an individual’s risk, the guidelines say, a preventive or full dose of anticoagulants may be warranted during and after pregnancy. Sadia Rafiquddin, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023 For patients like Teske, Toppin combines low-dose aspirin with a daily injection of LMWH, an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots during pregnancy, including the placenta. Sadia Rafiquddin, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023 Some of their strategies — in particular testing for genetic mutations and thrombophilias that increase the risk of blood clots and treating them with blood thinners, low-dose aspirin to stop platelets from forming clots, and anticoagulants to prevent blood clots — are controversial. Sadia Rafiquddin, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023 An anticoagulant can help prevent blood clots from forming that might lead to a stroke. Joe and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 24 July 2023 As if that wasn't enough, Komodo dragons also possess venom glands, which secrete an anticoagulant, causing an animal to bleed out faster. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2023 Medications Your healthcare provider will advise you to stop taking certain medications that promote bleeding and slow wound healing, including anticoagulants (blood thinners) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Stuart Hershman, Verywell Health, 27 June 2023 The anticoagulant in leech saliva, known as Hirduin, is one of the strongest on the market — and is even synthesized in labs to be used in the medical world for conditions like thrombosis. Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anticoagulant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticoagulant was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near anticoagulant

Cite this Entry

“Anticoagulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticoagulant. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Medical Definition

anticoagulant

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​co·​ag·​u·​lant ˌant-i-kō-ˈag-yə-lənt, ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anticoagulant (audio)
: of, relating to, or utilizing anticoagulants
anticoagulant therapy

anticoagulant

2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as a drug) that hinders coagulation and especially coagulation of the blood : blood thinner

More from Merriam-Webster on anticoagulant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!