phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbä-tə-mē 

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

fli-ˈbä-tə-mist 

noun

Examples of phlebotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kellie Brownlow, the chief mission officer for First Step, said the company promises to deliver employees who are on time and ready to work in places like manufacturing plants, warehouses and phlebotomy labs. —Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025

Campus operates mostly online — offering associates degrees as well as a series of certification programs for fields like cosmetology, phlebotomy and technical support. —Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 21 Mar. 2025

Providing mobile phlebotomy, performance optimization, and forensics services, Carrie tailors her services to meet the unique needs of each patient. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Associates degrees at Campus include business administration and paralegal studies, and students can get certificates in areas such as medical assisting and phlebotomy. —Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 6 Nov. 2023

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

Rhymes for phlebotomy

• craniotomy
• dichotomy
• lithotomy
• tenotomy
• vagotomy
• episiotomy
• laparotomy
• osteotomy
• thoracotomy
• tracheotomy
• ovariotomy

Kids Definition

phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē 

: 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 

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