blood
the fluid that circulates in the principal vascular system of human beings and other vertebrates, in humans consisting of plasma in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.
the vital principle; life: The excitement had got into the very blood of the nation.
a person or group regarded as a source of energy, vitality, or vigor: It's time we got some new blood in this company.
one of the four elemental bodily humors of medieval physiology, regarded as causing cheerfulness.
the juice or sap of plants: the blood of the grape.
temperament; disposition: a person of hot blood.
physical nature of human beings: the frailty of our blood.
Chiefly British. a high-spirited dandy; an adventuresome youth: the young bloods of Cambridge.
a profligate or rake.
physical and cultural extraction: It was a trait that seemed to be in their blood.
royal extraction: a prince of the blood.
recorded and respected ancestry; purebred breeding.
Slang.
a Black person, especially a young Black man.
Hunting. to give (hounds) a first sight or taste of blood.: Compare flesh (def. 14).
to stain with blood.
Idioms about blood
get / have one's blood up, to become or be enraged or impassioned: Injustice of any sort always gets my blood up.
have someone's blood on one's head / hands, to be to blame for someone's affliction or death: Though a criminal, he had no blood on his hands.
in cold blood, without pity or mercy; ruthlessly: The dictator, in cold blood, ordered the execution of all his political enemies.
make one's blood boil, to inspire resentment, anger, or indignation: Such carelessness makes my blood boil.
make one's blood run cold, to fill with terror; frighten: The dark, deserted street in that unfamiliar neighborhood made her blood run cold.
sweat blood. sweat (def. 38).
taste blood, to experience a new sensation, usually a violent or destructive one, and acquire an appetite for it: Once the team had tasted blood, there was no preventing them from winning by a wide margin.
Origin of blood
1Other words for blood
Other words from blood
- bloodlike, adjective
Words that may be confused with blood
Words Nearby blood
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use blood in a sentence
Paul, who rapidly gained 42 pounds of fluid and could hardly breathe at times, would receive overnight dialysis treatment several times a week so a machine could filter his blood to keep him alive.
A Welcome Lifeline | Washington Regional Transplant Community | September 17, 2020 | Washington BladeApple added the ability to measure blood oxygen levels, or SpO2.
Apple Watch Series 6 first impressions: A stretchy addition looks great | Aaron Pressman | September 17, 2020 | FortuneDone right, the process can yield animal tissue that contains muscle, blood, and fat, just like you’d get from a farmed fish.
This Startup Is Growing Sushi-Grade Salmon From Cells in a Lab | Vanessa Bates Ramirez | September 16, 2020 | Singularity HubApple on Tuesday announced the new Apple Watch Series 6, which can monitor blood oxygen levels from the user’s wrist, and the Watch SE, a cheaper version of the gadget.
One country is now paying citizens to exercise with their Apple Watch | Naomi Xu Elegant | September 16, 2020 | Fortune“It sounds like you've got some good ideas, and we need new blood in there,” said Randi Williams, a 59-year-old lab technician.
Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.
For nearly her entire life Beyoncé has been giving us her blood, sweat, and tears in her career.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year | Kevin Fallon | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Royal Family has benefited hugely from the American blood in its veins.
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain | Tim Teeman | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe future Mr. Vergara—and star of ‘True blood’ and ‘Magic Mike’ shares some life advice in an exclusive video.
Who Is Joe Manganiello? Sofia Vergara’s Fiancé on the Value of Hard Work | The Daily Beast Video | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn its over 1,000-year history, the land has soaked in the blood of millions of people.
Rebranding The Land of Mongol Warriors & Ivan The Terrible | Anna Nemtsova | December 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe blood that accused his friend in his heart, rushed to his face, when he repeated what had been told him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterThese differences of interests will lead to disputes, ill blood, and finally to separation.
There lay Bob Rock, covered with blood, and apparently insensible.
Louis pressed his father's hand to his lips; that hand which was hardly washed from the stain of Wharton's blood!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porterblood-streaked sputum is strongly suggestive of tuberculosis, and is more common in the early stages than later.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for blood (1 of 2)
/ (blʌd) /
a reddish fluid in vertebrates that is pumped by the heart through the arteries and veins, supplies tissues with nutrients, oxygen, etc, and removes waste products. It consists of a fluid (see blood plasma) containing cells (erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets): Related adjectives: haemal, haematic, sanguineous
a similar fluid in such invertebrates as annelids and arthropods
bloodshed, esp when resulting in murder
the guilt or responsibility for killing or injuring (esp in the phrase to have blood on one's hands or head)
life itself; lifeblood
relationship through being of the same family, race, or kind; kinship
blood, sweat and tears informal hard work and concentrated effort
flesh and blood
near kindred or kinship, esp that between a parent and child
human nature (esp in the phrase it's more than flesh and blood can stand)
ethnic or national descent: of Spanish blood
in one's blood as a natural or inherited characteristic or talent
the blood royal or noble descent: a prince of the blood
temperament; disposition; temper
good or pure breeding; pedigree
(as modifier): blood horses
people viewed as members of a group, esp as an invigorating force (in the phrases new blood, young blood)
mainly British rare a dashing young man; dandy; rake
the sensual or carnal nature of man
obsolete one of the four bodily humours: See humour (def. 8)
bad blood hatred; ill feeling
blood is thicker than water family duties and loyalty outweigh other ties
have one's blood up or get one's blood up to be or cause to be angry or inflamed
in cold blood showing no passion; deliberately; ruthlessly
make one's blood boil to cause to be angry or indignant
make one's blood run cold to fill with horror
hunting to cause (young hounds) to taste the blood of a freshly killed quarry and so become keen to hunt
hunting to smear the cheeks or forehead of (a person) with the blood of the kill as an initiation in hunting
to initiate (a person) to an activity or organization, esp by real-life experience
Origin of blood
1British Dictionary definitions for Blood (2 of 2)
/ (blʌd) /
Thomas, known as Colonel Blood . ?1618–80, Irish adventurer, who tried to steal the crown jewels (1671)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for blood
[ blŭd ]
The fluid tissue that circulates through the body of a vertebrate animal by the pumping action of the heart. Blood is the transport medium by which oxygen and nutrients are carried to body cells and waste products are picked up for excretion. Blood consists of plasma in which red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.
A fluid that is similar in function in many invertebrate animals.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for blood
The fluid circulating through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries of the circulatory system. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body and removes waste materials and carbon dioxide. It is composed of plasma (mainly water, but with a mixture of hormones, nutrients, gases, antibodies, and wastes), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which help combat infection), and platelets (which help the blood clot).
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with blood
In addition to the idiom beginning with blood
- blood is thicker than water
also see:
- bad blood
- draw blood
- flesh and blood
- in cold blood
- in one's blood
- make one's blood boil
- make one's blood run cold
- new blood
- out for (blood)
- run in the blood (family)
- scream bloody murder
- shed blood
- sporting blood
- sweat blood
Also see underbleed.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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