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

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

Engineers also reconfigured the inflatable bladder to maintain the original air volume while eliminating chest layers and moved the carbon dioxide valves to the back. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Saalt Wear leakproof underwear is super comfortable, featuring patented leak technology that's ultra-thin and dry and works for everything from periods to bladder leaks, from teenage years to postmenopause. — ABC News, 16 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