blood pressure

American  

noun

Physiology.

1. the pressure of the blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels, varying in different parts of the body during different phases of contraction of the heart and under different conditions of health, exertion, etc. BP

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blood pressure British  

noun

1. the pressure exerted by the blood on the inner walls of the arteries, being relative to the elasticity and diameter of the vessels and the force of the heartbeat

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blood pressure Scientific  

1. The pressure of the blood in the vessels, especially the arteries, as it circulates through the body. Blood pressure varies with the strength of the heartbeat, the volume of blood being pumped, and the elasticity of the blood vessels. Arterial blood pressure is usually measured by means of a sphygmomanometer and reported in millimeters of mercury as a fraction, with the numerator equal to the blood pressure during systole and the denominator equal to the blood pressure during diastole.

2. See more at hypertension hypotension

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blood pressure Cultural  

1. The pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels, especially the arteries. It is expressed in two figures, said to be one “over” the other: the systolic pressure, which is the pressure when the left ventricle of the heart contracts to push the blood through the body; and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the ventricle relaxes and fills with blood. Blood pressure is affected by the strength of the heartbeat, the volume of blood in the body, the elasticity of the blood vessels, and the age and general health of the person. (See circulatory system.)

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Etymology

Origin of blood pressure

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blood pressure

Only 7% of American adults have healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

The same chatbot, shown years of labs, imaging and diagnoses, can catch glucose, blood pressure and weight drifting up together, years before any one measure crosses a line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

People with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that includes high blood pressure, raised blood sugar and excess body fat, may see particular benefits.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

Such changes match previous findings that daily orange juice drinking can reduce blood pressure in young adults.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

I think back to all the times I’ve heard Grandma nag at him about his blood pressure and not eating too much salt.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh