often attributive
1
a(1)
: the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body
(2)
: a comparable fluid of an invertebrate
b
: a fluid resembling blood
2
: the shedding of blood
also
: the taking of life
3
4
a(1)
: blood regarded as the seat of the emotions : temper
Chide him for his faults, and do it reverently, / When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth; / But, being moody, give him line and scope …—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
(2)
: the one of the four humors (see humor entry 1 sense 2c) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be hot and moist and to cause cheerfulness and optimism
b
obsolete
: lust
c
: a man who dresses showily and behaves in an immoral or improper way : rake
5
: members of a team, staff, or organization : personnel
a company in need of new blood
6
informal
: an African American male
—used especially among Black people
blooded; blooding; bloods
1
: to stain or wet with blood
2
archaic
: bleed sense 1
3
: to expose (a hunting dog) to sight, scent, or taste of the blood of its prey
4
: to give experience to
troops blooded in battle
Synonyms
Examples of blood in a Sentence
Noun
The accident victim has already lost a lot of blood.
the blood in your veins
Recent Examples on the WebCarol Milberger, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023
Those symptoms include blood in stool, fever, severe abdominal pain and prolonged diarrhea.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
But this is a scenario that would only drown the nation in more blood.
—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023
Toxicological tests found Paul’s blood alcohol level to be about 3.5 times the legal limit in France.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Instead of turkey, the animals dined on mahi-mahi with mussel gravy and enjoyed a mix of trout blood and gelatin instead of cranberry sauce.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Share [Findings] Humboldt penguins who nest in the open have more pollutant metabolites in their blood than do penguins who nest in guano-rich burrows.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023
No one is shot on The Challenge, but exploding ink sacs mimic sprays of blood when a player is eliminated.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Hormonal changes and an increase in the amount of blood circulating throughout the body can cause blood vessels to expand, making nosebleeds more likely.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 15 Nov. 2023
Henry Flynn, Forbes, 4 May 2023
But why would blood even travel that long via drone, anyways?
—Lauren Sigfusson, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2017
Having a hepatitis B or C infection can also be a trigger, as can blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Aug. 2022
Haji believes Vipingo Ridge's efforts to blood the next generation of golfing talent are reflective of the sport's increasing popularity in Kenya.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 May 2022
How long after getting the J&J vaccine can blood clots occur?
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2021
The challenge of 2020 will be starting to blood them in the big leagues without overwhelming them, allowing the players to finish their development at a reasonable pace.
—Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 7 Apr. 2021
Some COVID-19 patients have been found to have blood oxygen levels below 65%.
—Mark Johnson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2020
See More
Noun
Therefore, those using finger stick glucose to check CGM readings may find discrepancies in readings when blood glucose is rapidly changing.
—Carol Milberger, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023
Those symptoms include blood in stool, fever, severe abdominal pain and prolonged diarrhea.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
But this is a scenario that would only drown the nation in more blood.
—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023
Toxicological tests found Paul’s blood alcohol level to be about 3.5 times the legal limit in France.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Instead of turkey, the animals dined on mahi-mahi with mussel gravy and enjoyed a mix of trout blood and gelatin instead of cranberry sauce.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Share [Findings] Humboldt penguins who nest in the open have more pollutant metabolites in their blood than do penguins who nest in guano-rich burrows.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023
No one is shot on The Challenge, but exploding ink sacs mimic sprays of blood when a player is eliminated.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Hormonal changes and an increase in the amount of blood circulating throughout the body can cause blood vessels to expand, making nosebleeds more likely.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 15 Nov. 2023
Verb
Lately, coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided against blooding players from the Castilla youth setup, namely Álvaro Rodríguez, Sergio Arribas, Carlos Dotor, and Nico Paz, like in the loss to Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián on Tuesday.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes, 4 May 2023
But why would blood even travel that long via drone, anyways?
—Lauren Sigfusson, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2017
Having a hepatitis B or C infection can also be a trigger, as can blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Aug. 2022
Haji believes Vipingo Ridge's efforts to blood the next generation of golfing talent are reflective of the sport's increasing popularity in Kenya.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 6 May 2022
How long after getting the J&J vaccine can blood clots occur?
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2021
The challenge of 2020 will be starting to blood them in the big leagues without overwhelming them, allowing the players to finish their development at a reasonable pace.
—Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 7 Apr. 2021
Some COVID-19 patients have been found to have blood oxygen levels below 65%.
—Mark Johnson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English blōd; akin to Old High German bluot blood
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of blood was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing blood
Articles Related to blood
Dictionary Entries Near blood
Cite this Entry
“Blood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blood. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
blood
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the red fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal and that brings nourishment and oxygen to and carries away waste products from all parts of the body
b
: a fluid resembling blood
2
a
: lineage sense 2, descent
especially
: royal lineage
b
: relationship through a common ancestor : kinship
blood
2 of 2 verb
: to give experience to
Etymology
Noun
Old English blōd "blood"
Verb
from an earlier sense, meaning "to smear the face of an inexperienced fox hunter with blood of the fox killed on his first hunt"
Medical Definition
blood
noun1
: the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body
2
: a fluid of an invertebrate comparable to blood
3
: the one of the four humors (see humor sense 2) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be hot and moist and to cause cheerfulness and optimism
More from Merriam-Webster on blood
Nglish: Translation of blood for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of blood for Arabic Speakers
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