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
In addition, as relationships with suppliers are the lifeblood of supply chain operations, AI agents can even evaluate their reliability and determine other options in disruptions.
—
Atal Bansal, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
For Lippmann, that meant that the information people rely on to form their mental images would be the lifeblood, or the death, of American democracy.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
This funding is the lifeblood of the partnership that has existed since the mid-20th century between the federal government and universities, which fueled our nation’s prosperity and long made American universities the envy of the world.
—Charles L. Welch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
During the pandemic, the town became especially tight-knit, bonded by the uncertainty of the virus, the politics of an election year and the hardship of closing down restaurants and retail stores in a place where small businesses are an economic lifeblood.
—Ulysses Ortega, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeblood
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.
Atal Bansal, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
For Lippmann, that meant that the information people rely on to form their mental images would be the lifeblood, or the death, of American democracy.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
This funding is the lifeblood of the partnership that has existed since the mid-20th century between the federal government and universities, which fueled our nation’s prosperity and long made American universities the envy of the world.
—Charles L. Welch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
During the pandemic, the town became especially tight-knit, bonded by the uncertainty of the virus, the politics of an election year and the hardship of closing down restaurants and retail stores in a place where small businesses are an economic lifeblood.
—Ulysses Ortega, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeblood
Cite this Entry
“Lifeblood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeblood. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lifeblood
noun
life·blood
ˈlīf-ˈbləd
: something that gives strength and energy
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share