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

On the extreme end of the spectrum, there’s Blueprint founder Bryan Johnson, who spends about $2 million a year on a biohacking protocol that includes a strict diet, 100-plus supplements, constant testing, plasma transfusions, and full‑body light therapy. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026

The clinic had no blood supplies or transfusion capabilities. —Sarah El Deeb, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

For every minute of delay in getting a victim that needs blood a transfusion, their chance of death goes up by 11%, said Dia Gainor, the executive director of the National Association of State EMS Officials. —Meg Cunningham, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

This bill would ensure that patients can request autologous or direct blood donations (from self or known persons) when a transfusion is needed in coordination with their physicians. —Teresa Reilly, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026

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