bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈbla-dər 

1

a

: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas

especially : urinary bladder

b

: a gas- or air-filled vesicle in certain algae and aquatic plants (such as rockweed) : air bladder sense b

2

: something (such as the rubber bag inside a football) resembling a bladder

bladderlike

ˈbla-dər-līk 

adjective

Examples of bladder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kari was confined to a wheelchair and had to have her gall bladder removed. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Evidence suggests arugula and other cruciferous vegetables may help fend off bladder, breast, colon, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Evidence suggests arugula and other cruciferous vegetables could help fight certain cancers, with glucosinolates potentially helping fend off bladder, breast, colon, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

HazelJo was diagnosed at birth with bladder exstrophy, anal and urogenital canal fusion and chronic kidney disease, among other conditions, per GoFundMe. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English blǣdre; akin to Old High German blātara bladder, Old English blāwan to blow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bladder

• air bladder
• bashful bladder
• bashful bladder syndrome
• bladder campion
• bladder kelp
• bladder worm
• bladder wrack
• giant bladder kelp
• shy bladder
• shy bladder syndrome
• swim bladder
• urinary bladder

Rhymes for bladder

• adder
• ladder
• madder
• sadder
• gallbladder
• stepladder

Kids Definition

bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈblad-ər 

1

: a pouch in an animal in which a liquid or gas is stored

especially : one into which urine passes from the kidneys and is stored temporarily until discharged by way of the urethra

2

: something resembling a bladder

especially : a bag or container that can be blown up with air

bladderlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Medical Definition

bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈblad-ər 

1

: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas

especially : urinary bladder

2

: a vesicle or pouch forming part of an animal body

the bladder of a tapeworm larva