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

Anticholinergics are used to reduce cold and flu symptoms (diphenhydramine/Benadryl), relieve motion sickness and histamine reactions (promethazine/Phenergan) and relax the bladder to limit frequent urination (oxybutynin/Ditropan). —New Atlas, 11 July 2025

The Yale Center for British Art, which reopened last month, made no mention in the press for the new Tracey Emin show about her battles with alcoholism, smoking, and subsequent bladder cancer. —Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

Caffeine stimulates the bladder and makes the problem worse. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 4 July 2025

Her husband, who recently passed away, had bladder cancer, and the nearest treatment center was nearly 2 hours from their home. —Alana Semuels, Time, 1 July 2025

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