phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbä-tə-mē How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
plural phlebotomies
: the drawing of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures

Note: Phlebotomy was once widely used to treat many types of disease but is now limited to the treatment of only a few conditions like hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera.

While scientists struggle to understand the molecular subtleties of hemochromatosis, the clinical treatment of the disorder remains remarkably primitive: serial phlebotomy. That is, weekly bloodletting.David A. Shaywitz

called also venesection

phlebotomist noun

Examples of phlebotomy 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 health center hired people already skilled at having nonjudgmental, de-stigmatizing conversations and trained them to provide clinal care, phlebotomy, advanced testing and injections. Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023 The classes, which are virtual and in person, include soft skills training, phlebotomy certification and community health worker certification. Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2022 Currently the program offers phlebotomy and certified nurse assistants training and certification. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023 The interns rotate three times throughout the year across about 20 departments, ranging from nursing to the phlebotomy lab and security. Dallas News, 31 May 2022 See all Example Sentences for phlebotomy 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fleobotomie, from Middle French flebothomie, from Late Latin phlebotomia, from Greek, from phleb- + -tomia -tomy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phlebotomy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near phlebotomy

Cite this Entry

“Phlebotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phlebotomy. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

phlebotomy

noun
phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
: the removal of blood from a vein chiefly for transfusion or diagnosis and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions

Medical Definition

phlebotomy

noun
phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
plural phlebotomies
: the letting of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions (as hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera)

called also venesection, venotomy

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