lifeblood

noun

life·​blood ˈlīf-ˈbləd How to pronounce lifeblood (audio)
-ˌbləd
Synonyms of lifebloodnext
1
: blood regarded as the seat of vitality
2
: a vital or life-giving force or component
freedom of inquiry is the lifeblood of a university

Examples of lifeblood in a Sentence

The town's lifeblood has always been its fishing industry. The neighborhoods are the lifeblood of this city. the lifeblood that flows through his veins
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.
Conventions are holding up; the weakness is leisure – the city's lifeblood. Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026 The free flow of information is the lifeblood of the world’s third largest financial center, after New York and London, and Apple Daily — for all its lurid crime stories and salacious gossip — was among a litany of outlets holding government officials to account. Andy Browne, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026 Maryland’s Democratic Party establishment has turned energy from the lifeblood of our prosperity into yet another vehicle to increase the high cost of living for working families. Justin Ready, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026 Experimentation and evolution are the lifeblood of pop-ups. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lifeblood

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeblood was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifeblood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeblood. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

lifeblood

noun
life·​blood ˈlīf-ˈbləd How to pronounce lifeblood (audio)
: something that gives strength and energy

More from Merriam-Webster on lifeblood

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