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

Over time, blood vessels begin leaking, leading to bleeding, blood pressure can drop, blood fails to reach different parts of the body and the kidneys can fail. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Key Takeaways Decongestants may raise blood pressure and should be used with caution in people with hypertension. —Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 18 May 2026

Beyond blood pressure, excess salt intake has been linked to other health concerns that are less commonly discussed. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 May 2026

Researchers have shed fresh light on how a simple, centuries-old Chinese practice could be almost as effective as some medications in lowering blood pressure. —Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 16 May 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