transfusion
noun
trans·fu·sion
tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən 
1
: an act, process, or instance of transfusing
especially
: the process of transfusing fluid (such as blood) into a vein or artery
2
: something transfused
Did you know?
When blood transfusions were first attempted by Europeans in the early 1600s, they were met with skepticism, since the established practice was to bleed patients, not transfuse them with blood. Some patients were transfused with animal blood, and so many died as a result that by 1700 transfusions had been widely outlawed. Not until 1900 were the major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) recognized, making transfusions safe and effective.
Examples of transfusion in a Sentence
Without a transfusion her chances of survival were slim.
Recent Examples on the Web
Grant’s extensive treatment and multiple infections have called for blood and platelet transfusions, ongoing infusions and continued hospitalizations.
—
Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Treatment includes therapy to correct anemia, which may involve correcting nutritional deficiencies, blood, transfusion, or medication.
—Christine L. Larsen, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025
Aspiring John Dalys can grab transfusions and test their skills in putting greens or full-swing simulators that can transport golfers to Scotland or California.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Patients with blood cancers, like leukemia, also need transfusions to replenish healthy blood cells.
—Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for transfusion
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Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Treatment includes therapy to correct anemia, which may involve correcting nutritional deficiencies, blood, transfusion, or medication.
—Christine L. Larsen, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025
Aspiring John Dalys can grab transfusions and test their skills in putting greens or full-swing simulators that can transport golfers to Scotland or California.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Patients with blood cancers, like leukemia, also need transfusions to replenish healthy blood cells.
—Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for transfusion
Cite this Entry
“Transfusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfusion. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
transfusion
noun
trans·fu·sion
tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən
1
: an act, process, or instance of transfusing
especially
: the process of transfusing a fluid and especially blood into a blood vessel
2
: something transfused
Medical Definition
transfusion
noun
trans·fu·sion
tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən
1
: the process of transfusing fluid (as blood) into a vein or artery
2
: something transfused
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