blood pressure

noun

: pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

The doctor says he has high blood pressure.

These drugs help lower blood pressure.

She has a blood pressure of 120.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eating snacks rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, and fiber can help lower blood pressure and support heart health. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 11 May 2026

Key Takeaways Asparagus may help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, easing fluid retention, and blocking enzymes that raise blood pressure. —Md Published, Verywell Health, 11 May 2026

Anger can raise your blood pressure, increase stress hormones and increase your risk for heart disease over time. —Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026

They too have been linked to improvements in health — blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and overall heart health — all of which can also improve the brain. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blood pressure

• refresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• thresher

Kids Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels and especially arteries that varies with physical condition and age

Medical Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries, usually measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only

a blood pressure of 120/80

a blood pressure of 120

—abbreviation BP