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blood transfusion
blood transfusionnounthe injection of blood from one person or animal into the bloodstream of another.
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transfusion, blood
transfusion, bloodThe injection of blood received from a donor into the bloodstream of another individual having a compatible blood type. A person may need a blood transfusion if a great deal of blood has been lost through surgery or trauma.
blood transfusion
Americannoun
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blood transfusions
plural
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If the blood supply is contaminated, diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS can be passed to someone who receives a blood transfusion.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of blood transfusion
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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The new technology means children can avoid longer and more invasive operations, and it should see a reduction in blood transfusion rates, experts say.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
The court heard that the child also had sickle cell disease, which complicated the operation and increased the potential need for a blood transfusion.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
Tests revealed she had severe anemia, leading to a blood transfusion from another eagle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
She has undergone repeated physical examinations, comprehensive blood work, advanced imaging, toxicology screening and a blood transfusion, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026
“You seem nice, your parents seem fine, and you know, if I ever need a kidney or a blood transfusion, it wouldn’t hurt to have you in my contacts.”
From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway
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The Brigham team weighed the surgeons' discarded sponges to measure the patient's blood loss and thus make sure that he got enough, not too much, transfusion blood.
From Time Magazine Archive
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An estimated 10% of U.S. transfusion blood is drained from paid donors by commercial supply houses, which sell the blood for profit.
From Time Magazine Archive
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.