haemoglobin

British

/ ˌhɛm-, ˌhiːməʊˈɡləʊbɪn /

noun

a conjugated protein, consisting of haem and the protein globin, that gives red blood cells their characteristic colour. It combines reversibly with oxygen and is thus very important in the transportation of oxygen to tissues See also oxyhaemoglobin

"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

Etymology

Origin of haemoglobin

C19: shortened from haematoglobulin, from _haematin + _globulin the two components

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.

Having returned to the USA, Vonn explained she had a six-hour reconstructive operation on Wednesday, but also needed a blood transfusion as she had "low haemoglobin due to all the blood loss and surgeries".

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

The procedure, known as the haemoglobin A1C test, measures average blood sugar levels which are used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and monitor the condition.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

It is caused by genetic change that means people make haemoglobin - a key protein in red blood cells - that doesn't work properly.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

If there is more haemoglobin in the blood, more oxygen can be carried to the muscles, giving an athlete more resistance to lactic acid burn - helping them go faster for longer.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

The blood is usually deficient in haemoglobin, which is often only 40-50% of the normal.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023