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

Urinary osmolality measures how much chloride, potassium, sodium, and urea are in your urine. Urodynamics: This is a set of tests examining how well your bladder and urethra work. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 17 Nov. 2023

Urine adheres to the bladder wall rather than collecting at the base, where the growing pressure of liquid above the urethra usually alerts us when the organ is two-thirds full. —Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023

Scorsese is known for films with running times that can test bladders, and Killers of the Flower Moon is no exception. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2023

While features like trekking pole loops, a 2-liter hydration bladder, and an adjustable hip belt cater to more technical treks. —Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2023

The Daytime Emmy-winning star of The Young and the Restless, who shared with his fans in an emotional Facebook Live session in April that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, paid a visit to The Talk Friday and shared a wise suggestion to its viewers. —Rosemary Rossi, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023

California natives like lavender blooming chaparral mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus), yellow flowered bladder pod (Peritoma arborea), garden-sized scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia), jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) and many more. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023

The bladders are also far cheaper to build than a design made from lightweight composites like carbon fiber. —Evan Williams, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023

Navigating the airport with a cat Ahead of travel, don’t withhold food or water in an attempt to stave off unwelcome bowel or bladder movements on the plane. —Anna Borges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Oct. 2023

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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

• giant bladder kelp
• bladder kelp
• urinary bladder

• giant bladder kelp
• bladder kelp
• urinary bladder

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