clot

noun \ ˈklät \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Examples: clot in a Sentence

Definition of clot

1 : a portion of a substance adhering together in a thick nondescript mass (as of clay or gum)

2 a : a roundish viscous lump formed by coagulation of a portion of liquid or by melting

b : a coagulated mass produced by clotting of blood

3 British : blockhead

4 : cluster, group

a clot of spectators

See clot defined for English-language learners

See clot defined for kids

Examples of clot in a Sentence

We were told that his stroke was caused by a clot in his brain.
a clot of daisies occupied one corner of the flower bed

Recent Examples of clot from the Web

After 53 days in the hospital and multiple complications, including pneumonia and blood clots, doctors diagnosed Yani with lupus, an autoimmune disorder.

— daniel wilson, sacbee, "Sacramento Make-A-Wish teen ‘touched and grateful’ to be honorary Kings dancer," 11 July 2018
Transgender women on hormone therapy may be at a higher risk for cardiovascular problems, such as stroke, blood clots and heart attack, researchers reported Monday.

— avichai scher /, NBC News, "Study finds health risks for transgender women on hormone therapy," 9 July 2018
That was when Bosh signed the five-year contract the Heat still are paying off, even with the talented big man sidelined the past 2 1/2 seasons due to blood clots.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Chris Bosh sees LeBron James moving on to Houston Rockets," 7 June 2018
Williams gave birth only 10½ months ago, then was treated for blood clots.

— howard fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Angelique Kerber outplays Serena Williams, wins her first Wimbledon title," 14 July 2018
After giving birth to daughter Olympia last September, Williams dealt with issues including blood clots, and she's been wearing compression leggings this fortnight as a precaution.

— howard fendrich, Fox News, "Serena Williams nears 8th Wimbledon title, 24th Slam overall," 13 July 2018
Such clots could travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

— Houston Chronicle, "Vicks VapoRub for poison ivy itch," 8 July 2018
The bite formed two blood clots that went to my lungs.

— danielle garrand, CBS News, "Woman rushed to ER with brown recluse spider bites, then finds dozens more infesting her apartment," 6 July 2018
The doctor can review CT scan images and recommend treatments, including the use of highly effective clot-busting drugs.

— robert pear, New York Times, "Medicare Allows More Benefits for Chronically Ill, Aiming to Improve Care for Millions," 24 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clot

Middle English, from Old English clott; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, ball — more at clout

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

clot Synonyms

Synonyms

array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block, bunch, clump, cluster, clutch, collection, constellation, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, muster, package, parcel, passel, set, suite;

Near Antonyms

entity, item, single, unit;

agglomeration, assortment, hodgepodge, jumble, miscellany, mixture, odds and ends, sundries, variety;

cycle, run, series, suit;

Phrases

the whole kit and caboodle;

clot

verb

Definition of clot

clotted; clotting

intransitive verb

1 : to become a clot : form clots

2 : to undergo a sequence of complex chemical and physical reactions that results in conversion of fluid blood into a coagulated mass : coagulate

transitive verb

1 : to cause to form into or as if into a clot

2 : to fill with clots; also : clog

clotted streets

See clot defined for English-language learners

Examples of clot in a Sentence

medications that prevent blood from clotting
substances that help to clot blood

Recent Examples of clot from the Web

My blood, unable to clot, wept from the puncture wounds on my ankle, and bruising, a sign of internal hemorrhaging, had bloomed to above my knee.

— kyle dickman, Outside Online, "A Rattle with Death in Yosemite," 20 June 2018
But at this time of year, also consider a bowl of strawberries, piled extravagantly high (more is always more in these instances), and served with clotted cream.

— skye mcalpine, Vogue, "How to Host a Gorgeous Summer Dinner Party Without Cooking," 22 June 2018
Your mind and body need to be free of toxins, otherwise the energy in your body will clot.

— kamakshi ayyar, Time, "What India's Traditional Yoga Teachers Want You to Know for the International Day of Yoga," 20 June 2018
But get bitten by the same species in the mountains of the same county and your blood will clot.

— kyle dickman, Outside Online, "A Rattle with Death in Yosemite," 20 June 2018
The researchers showed that the nanorobots only targeted the tumors and didn’t cause clotting elsewhere in the body.

— NBC News, "These tiny robots could be disease-fighting machines inside the body," 30 Mar. 2018
While rattlesnake bites are not necessarily fatal, venom is harmful to the nervous system and can cause blood to clot, leading to heart attack or stroke.

— christina capatides, CBS News, "Kayaker hospitalized after rattlesnake falls from a tree and bites him," 22 May 2018
Having a clotting disorder Some bleeding disorders, like hemophilia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), cause your blood to not clot enough.

— korin miller, SELF, "11 Things That Can Raise Your Risk of Blood Clots," 27 Jan. 2018
So grab your hat (or fascinator), pour a cup of coffee (or tea), and slather a scone with lemon curd or clotted cream.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Recipe: Royal wedding scones ready in less than an hour," 18 May 2018

First Known Use of clot

15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

clot Synonyms

CLOT Defined for English Language Learners

clot

noun

Definition of clot for English Language Learners

: a stupid person

clot

verb

Definition of clot for English Language Learners

: to become thick and partly solid : to develop clots

CLOT Defined for Kids

clot

noun \ ˈklät \

Definition of clot for Students

: a lump made by some substance getting thicker and sticking together

a blood clot

clot

verb

Definition of clot for Students

clotted; clotting

: to become thick and partly solid

Medical Dictionary

clot

noun \ ˈklät \

medical Definition of clot

: a coagulated mass produced by clotting of blood

clot

verb

medical Definition of clot

clotted; clotting

intransitive verb

: to undergo a sequence of complex chemical and physical reactions that results in conversion of fluid blood into a coagulum and that involves shedding of blood, release of thromboplastin from blood platelets and injured tissues, inactivation of heparin by thromboplastin permitting calcium ions of the plasma to convert prothrombin to thrombin, interaction of thrombin with fibrinogen to form an insoluble fibrin network in which blood cells and plasma are trapped, and contraction of the network to squeeze out excess fluid : coagulate

transitive verb

: to cause to form into or as if into a clot