anemia

American  

[uh-nee-mee-uh] / əˈni mi ə /

Or anaemia

noun

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

• pseudoanemia noun

Etymology

Origin of anemia

First recorded in 1800–10; from New Latin, from Greek anaimía “bloodlessness, lack of blood”; 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

Example Sentences

Earlier research found that ultramarathon runners often experience a breakdown of healthy red blood cells during races, which can potentially lead to anemia.

From Science Daily

Ailments like anemia, kidney stones and osteoporosis can arise as well, and most returning astronauts can barely walk under the sudden chains of gravity.

From The Wall Street Journal

It had been days since she had taken an injection of the powerful antibiotics she needs to manage her condition, a type of anemia.

From Los Angeles Times

Avian malaria attacks red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, organ failure, lower survival rates and, in some species, death.

From Science Daily

What these kerfuffles share is that they are all caused by Britain’s economic anemia but, conspicuously, aren’t about any coherent agenda to reverse it.

From The Wall Street Journal