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

Miso may offer some health benefits related to gut health, inflammation, and possibly even blood pressure or cancer prevention. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025

Eating more oat products, like oat bread, may improve blood lipid levels and may also reduce blood sugar, body weight, and blood pressure, all of which can benefit heart health.6 4. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 20 May 2025

The health fair will offer free screenings and information for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, women’s health, behavioral health, dental health and weight loss. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

On her first day of admission, doctors administered hormones to raise her blood pressure and placed a feeding tube. —Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025

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