anemia

American  

[uh-nee-mee-uh] / əˈni mi ə /

Or anaemia

noun

anemias plural

1. Pathology. a quantitative deficiency of the hemoglobin, often accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and causing pallor, weakness, and breathlessness.

2. a lack of power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness.

   His writing suffers from anemia.

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anemia British  

/ əˈniːmɪə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of anaemia

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anemia Scientific  

/ ə-nē′mē-ə /

1. A deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, as in the amount of hemoglobin or the number or volume of red blood cells. Iron deficiency, often caused by inadequate dietary consumption of iron, and blood loss are common causes of anemia.

2. See also aplastic anemia hemolytic anemia and sickle cell anemia

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anemia Cultural  

1. A condition in which the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen is decreased because of too few red blood cells in circulation or because of too little hemoglobin.

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Discover More

Because people suffering from anemia often appear weak and pale, the term is frequently used to describe general apathy or weakness: “The team's performance has been pretty anemic these past few weeks.”

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pseudoanemia
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• anemias
  plural

Etymology

Origin of anemia

First recorded in 1800–10; from New Latin, from Greek anaimía “bloodlessness, lack of blood”; see an- ¹, -emia

Compare meaning

How does anemia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sickle cell anemia vs. anemia
• thalassemia vs. anemia

Explanation

Anemia is a medical condition resulting from lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. People with anemia are often pale and lacking in energy. You become anemic when you are not getting enough iron. It is common among college students living away from home for the first time, because they often subsist on a diet of cheap carbohydrates instead of iron-rich, but expensive, foods like red meat and fresh vegetables.

Example Sentences

A century later, researchers are still finding that this tiny cobalt-containing molecule does more than prevent anemia.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

Doctors have traditionally linked tiredness in B12 deficiency to anemia.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

Until then, children in the area generally only saw doctors in dire emergencies; rickets, anemia and other consequences of malnutrition were rampant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

"An increase of 1-2 g/dl may shift individuals from mild or moderate anemia to non-anemic categories, improving fatigue, cognitive function, and productivity outcomes," suggest the researchers.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

Studies of his blood revealed a severe depression of the bone marrow called aplastic anemia.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson