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

The operation lasted two and a half hours and the surgical team had to cut around existing scar tissue and avoid her bladder. —CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026

In some cases, these muscles and surrounding connective tissues can weaken so much that the organs in your pelvis—including the uterus or bladder—start to sag. —Erica Sweeney, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026

Numerous bladder stones were found, surgery was done to remove them, and they were sent out for analysis. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Coleman lines each Snap 'N Go cooler with a thin, supple inner bladder that ensures the design remains watertight. —New Atlas, 14 Mar. 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