bolus

noun

bo·​lus ˈbō-ləs 

plural boluses

1

: a rounded mass: such as

a

: a large pill

b

: a soft mass of chewed food

2

medical

a

: a dose of a substance (such as a drug) given intravenously

b

: a large dose of a substance given by injection for the purpose of rapidly achieving the needed therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream

Examples of bolus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Within that bolus of bureaucratic bloviation are approximately 280 tax expenditures — also known as loopholes — that can be used by eligible taxpayers to legally reduce their tax burden. —Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

The wearable, fully disposable device provided adjustable basal and bolus insulin for up to three days for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2024

Could infusing an extra bolus of these cells do more harm than good? —Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 14 Nov. 2024

With Caravan Tech’s innovative tracking system utilizing bolus and ear tag technology, livestock movements can be monitored in real-time, enabling rapid response to disease outbreaks. —Patrick Skerrett, STAT, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek bōlos lump

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bolus

• holus-bolus

Rhymes for bolus

• colas
• polis
• solus
• embolus
• gladiolus
• malleolus
• nucleolus

Medical Definition

bolus

noun

bo·​lus ˈbō-ləs 

plural boluses

1

: a rounded mass: as

a

: a large pill

b

: a soft mass of chewed food

2

a

: a dose of a substance (as a drug) given intravenously

b

: a large dose of a substance given by injection for the purpose of rapidly achieving the needed therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream

the patient receives a bolus dose to reach the minimum effective analgesic concentration

—J. F. Camp

subcutaneous injection of a premeal bolus of fast-acting insulin