whole blood

American  

[hohl bluhd, hohl bluhd] / ˈhoʊl ˈblʌd, ˈhoʊl ˌblʌd /

noun

1. blood directly from the body, from which none of the components have been removed, used in transfusions.

2. relationship between persons through both parents.

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whole blood British  

noun

1. blood obtained from a donor for transfusion from which none of the elements has been removed

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whole blood Scientific  

/ hōl /

1. Blood from which no constituent, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets, has been removed. Whole blood is commonly obtained through blood donation and can be transfused directly or broken down into blood components that can be transfused separately.

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Etymology

Origin of whole blood

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Taking a page from battlefield medicine, Jenkins and some other transfusion experts have proposed “walking blood banks,” in which preidentified donors can be called upon during an emergency to donate whole blood.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

The Trinity researchers are the first team of scientists to capture the immune response to EBNA-1 using whole blood samples carried out exclusively with equipment that is used in the hospital laboratory day to day.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2024

During the 12 months of the experiment, one group of firefighters donated plasma every six weeks; a second group donated whole blood every 12 weeks; and the final group did not donate blood at all.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2024

“Alright, starting whole blood over here,” someone else replied.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023

Eventually Dr. Isaacson gave her three transfusions of whole blood to replace what she lost in nosebleeds.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston