hemolymph

noun

he·​mo·​lymph ˈhē-mə-ˌlim(p)f How to pronounce hemolymph (audio)
: the circulatory fluid of various invertebrate animals that is functionally comparable to the blood and lymph of vertebrates

Examples of hemolymph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The neck wound would clot relatively quickly, and because there’s no need for high blood pressure to push hemolymph through any tiny capillaries, its vital organs would continue to receive nutrients passively. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Scientists found the protein in the oysters’ hemolymph, a liquid found in invertebrates that’s similar to blood. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025 In some invertebrates, including oysters, hemolymph is the equivalent of human blood. New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2025 The group built a small fuel cell to tap the energy in the oxygen and glucose molecules dissolved in the snails’ hemolymph. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Apr. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hemolymph was in 1885

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hemolymph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemolymph. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

Medical Definition

hemolymph

noun
he·​mo·​lymph
variants or chiefly British haemolymph
: the circulatory fluid of various invertebrate animals that is functionally comparable to the blood and lymph of vertebrates

More from Merriam-Webster on hemolymph

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster