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

Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor Muscles Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises are one of the most effective tools for improving bladder control after prostate cancer treatment. —Md Published, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026

Body of knowledge A full bladder is roughly the size of a softball. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

The organization also reported that ALS typically doesn’t affect bladder control or the senses, such as taste, smell, touch, and hearing. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 20 Feb. 2026

Incontinence is a medical condition where your bladder involuntarily releases either all or part of its liquid contents. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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

• bladder kelp
• giant bladder kelp
• 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