blood pressure

noun

: pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

Examples of blood pressure in a Sentence

The doctor says he has high blood pressure.

These drugs help lower blood pressure.

She has a blood pressure of 120.

Recent Examples on the Web

Exposure to cold air was also found to increase blood pressure and reduce coronary blood flow. —Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025

One or 2 tablespoons of olive oil (preferably EVOO) taken on an ongoing basis is typically enough to benefit heart health, as well as provide benefits beyond lowering blood pressure. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 15 Dec. 2025

Tomato juice also offers heart-friendly antioxidants, but the evidence for its blood pressure effects is less consistent. —Laura Schober, Health, 15 Dec. 2025

The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure acutely during the lift. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blood pressure

• refresher
• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• thresher

Kids Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure of the blood on the walls of blood vessels and especially arteries that varies with physical condition and age

Medical Definition

blood pressure

noun

: pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries, usually measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only

a blood pressure of 120/80

a blood pressure of 120

—abbreviation BP