anemia

noun

ane·​mia ə-ˈnē-mē-ə How to pronounce anemia (audio)
1
a
: a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume
b
2
: lack of vitality

Examples of anemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These preventable and mostly treatable infectious diseases affect millions of people in tropical regions of the world, causing severe health problems, including anemia, blindness, chronic pain, infertility and bodily disfigurement. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Routine blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), can detect anemia (low red blood cell count or function) or low platelets (cells active in blood clotting). Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025 Some of the negative physical and mental health outcomes that can occur as a result of the disorder include gastrointestinal issues, infertility, suicidal ideation, pubertal delay, anxiety, depression, anemia, skin issues, osteoporosis and heart conditions such as bradycardia. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 The blood transfusion was necessary because tests showed low platelet counts, associated with anemia, the Vatican said. Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anemia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek anaimia bloodlessness, from a- + -aimia -emia

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of anemia was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anemia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anemia. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

anemia

noun
ane·​mia ə-ˈnē-mē-ə How to pronounce anemia (audio)
: a condition in which the blood has less than the normal amount of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total volume and which is usually marked by weakness, exhaustion, pale skin, shortness of breath, and abnormal heartbeat
anemic
-mik
adjective

Medical Definition

anemia

noun
ane·​mia
variants or chiefly British anaemia
1
: a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume see aplastic anemia, hyperchromic anemia, hypochromic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, microcytic anemia, pernicious anemia, sickle cell anemia compare oligocythemia
2
anemic adjective
or chiefly British anaemic
anemically adverb
or chiefly British anaemically

More from Merriam-Webster on anemia

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