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

Pregnant patients should know their usual blood pressure and ask their clinician about it during clinic visits. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Because calcium buildup marks the presence of atherosclerosis, the score gives cardiologists a direct look at disease that blood pressure and cholesterol checks can miss. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026

It is shown to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce the risk of heartburn, heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026

Robinson might continue finding ways to raise Narduzzi’s blood pressure. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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