clot

1 of 2

noun

ˈklät 

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

clot

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

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

Verb

• block
• choke
• clog
• congest
• dam
• gum (up)
• jam
• obstruct
• occlude
• plug (up)
• stop (up)
• stuff

Examples of clot in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

medications that prevent blood from clotting

substances that help to clot blood

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That same study discovered that adding erythritol to patients’ blood or platelets in lab experiments increased clot formation. —Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Aug. 2024

The clot is formed in a deep vein, typically in the leg or, rarely, in another part of the body, and multiple clots can be involved. —Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024

Verb

The rest is cellular matter, mainly platelets, essential for clotting after a cut or wound; white blood cells, to fight infection; and red blood cells, which not only give blood its tomato coloring, but also ferry oxygen-giving hemoglobin. —Byandrew Zaleski, science.org, 3 July 2024

Serum lacks certain proteins and other elements used in the clotting process.4 When plasma is necessary for a blood test (such as coagulation tests), the collection tube contains chemicals that prevent the blood from clotting in the tube. —Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing clot

• blood clot
• clot-buster

Kids Definition

clot

1 of 2 noun

ˈklät 

: a mass or lump made by a liquid (as blood) that thickens and sticks together

clot

2 of 2 verb

clotted; clotting

: to become or cause to become a clot : form clots

Medical Definition

clot

1 of 2 noun

ˈklät 

: a coagulated mass produced by clotting of blood

clot

2 of 2 verb

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