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 cancers associated with nitrate exposure included gastric, kidney, bladder, colon, colorectal and ovarian cancers. —Ryan Brennan may 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026

The new exhibition devoted to the work of the British artist Tracey Emin, currently at Tate Modern in London, is her biggest yet, with over ninety works on view, and the first since her recovery from major surgery for bladder cancer in 2020. —Clair Wills, The New York Review of Books, 23 May 2026

And plenty of dogs emptied their bladders in the rings, prompting some cleanup and straw removal. —Ross Mantle, New York Times, 21 May 2026

After his leg was amputated, doctors reportedly discovered that the cancer had aggressively spread to his bladder, leading to a massive pelvic surgery. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 18 May 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