lifeblood

noun

life·​blood ˈlīf-ˈbləd 

-ˌbləd

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

There is plenty of upside left on the TV side, which ideally is the lifeblood of the economic model for every major sports league. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 June 2025

Touring may be the lifeblood of most artists, but being on the road tends to wear down even the most seasoned musician. —Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 24 June 2025

For businesses already leveraging Salesforce, data is the lifeblood. —Vamsi Gosu, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

First, there must be free parking options for the dedicated team members who are the lifeblood of our institutions. —Jessica Hanson York, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lifeblood

• waterflood
• blood
• bud
• crud
• dud
• flood
• mud
• rud
• scud
• spud
• stud
• thud

Kids Definition

lifeblood

noun

life·​blood ˈlīf-ˈbləd 

: something that gives strength and energy