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

Adrenaline rises, blood pressure spikes, heart rate changes, palms grow sweaty, breathing becomes more staccato. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026

Elderly people are the most susceptible to heat exhaustion, along with people on blood pressure medications and outdoor workers. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Those who need to be especially careful in the heat include the elderly, children, pregnant women and people taking certain drugs, such as psychotropic medications or beta-blockers to lower blood pressure. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 June 2026

Brisk walking can help lower blood pressure, and experts recommend at least 150 minutes each week. — Laura Schober, Health, 29 June 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