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
Pressing ahead: Amid war in Gaza, some Chicago-area Palestinians risking travel to homeland for olive harvest season
For some, olive trees are the lifeblood of Palestinian culture, representing so much more than a pickled or pressed fruit.
—
Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
From delivering newborns to providing care to flight crew at an airline headquarters, healthcare has been her lifeblood.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025
In that sense, all roads led back to property taxes, which are the lifeblood of local governments in America and the source of the bulk of public dollars toward public education among others.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The town’s lifeblood is a sprawling car factory owned by Japan’s Nissan Motor.
—River Akira Davis, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeblood
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Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
From delivering newborns to providing care to flight crew at an airline headquarters, healthcare has been her lifeblood.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025
In that sense, all roads led back to property taxes, which are the lifeblood of local governments in America and the source of the bulk of public dollars toward public education among others.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The town’s lifeblood is a sprawling car factory owned by Japan’s Nissan Motor.
—River Akira Davis, New York Times, 7 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lifeblood
noun
life·blood
ˈlīf-ˈbləd
: something that gives strength and energy
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