septicemia

noun

sep·​ti·​ce·​mia ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: potentially life-threatening invasion of the bloodstream by pathogenic agents and especially bacteria along with their toxins from a localized infection (as of the lungs or skin) that is accompanied by acute systemic illness

called also blood poisoning

compare bacteremia, sepsis, viremia

septicemic

ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mik 

adjective

Examples of septicemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Contaminated powdered formula can cause septicemia, meningitis and even death. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

His mother, Megan, told the outlet that Will had meningococcal septicemia, also known as meningococcemia, and that the infection got into his bloodstream. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 15 June 2025

The infection caused septicemia and traveled through his body, causing harm in multiple critical organs and bones. —Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025

Before heading out for the day, James finds Siegfried reading about hemorrhagic septicemia to Jimmy. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin septicus + New Latin -emia

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for septicemia

• anaemia
• anemia
• artemia
• leukaemia
• leukemia
• pyaemia
• toxaemia
• toxemia
• uremia
• viremia
• academia
• acidemia

Medical Definition

septicemia

noun

sep·​ti·​ce·​mia

variants or chiefly British septicaemia

ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: potentially life-threatening invasion of the bloodstream by pathogenic agents (as bacteria, viruses, or fungi) from a localized infection (as of the lungs or skin) that is accompanied by acute systemic illness

called also blood poisoning

see pyemia compare bacteremia, sepsis, viremia

septicemic adjective

or chiefly British septicaemic

-ˈsē-mik