transfusion

noun

trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of transfusing

especially : the process of transfusing fluid (such as blood) into a vein or artery

2

: something transfused

transfusional

tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Did you know?

When blood transfusions were first attempted by Europeans in the early 1600s, they were met with skepticism, since the established practice was to bleed patients, not transfuse them with blood. Some patients were transfused with animal blood, and so many died as a result that by 1700 transfusions had been widely outlawed. Not until 1900 were the major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) recognized, making transfusions safe and effective.

Examples of transfusion in a Sentence

Without a transfusion her chances of survival were slim.

Recent Examples on the Web

Melody was given a platelet transfusion before being transferred to a Paediatric Intensive Care unit in Southampton. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

The health care company, which makes injectable medications and technologies for infusions and transfusions, inducted Garland and 12 others into its hall of fame Oct. 22. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025

Werfen searches for advancements in diagnostics related to acute care, autoimmunity, transplant, transfusion and hemostasis. —Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025

For families long accustomed to hospital visits and transfusions, the shift represented not just a medical advance, but a profound improvement in quality of life. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transfusion

• blood transfusion

Rhymes for transfusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion

Kids Definition

transfusion

noun

trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən 

1

: an act, process, or instance of transfusing

especially : the process of transfusing a fluid and especially blood into a blood vessel

2

: something transfused

Medical Definition

transfusion

noun

trans·​fu·​sion tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən 

1

: the process of transfusing fluid (as blood) into a vein or artery

2

: something transfused