vampirism

noun

vam·​pir·​ism ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce vampirism (audio)
1
: belief in vampires
2
: the actions of a vampire

Examples of vampirism 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.
This, the film posits, is its own kind of vampirism. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026 Three women are connected by vampirism across time in this lush, atmospheric story about love, hunger, rage and sapphic desire. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 6 Dec. 2025 And if the vampirism is of a classic stripe, Schwab’s individual vampires are satisfyingly singular with neat shifts in narrative voice to represent their character and historical period. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 Actually, becoming young is, of course, a theme of vampire films and of vampirism in general. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vampirism

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vampirism was circa 1796

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vampirism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vampirism. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Medical Definition

vampirism

noun
vam·​pir·​ism -ˌpī(ə)r-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce vampirism (audio)
: a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the drawing of blood
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