blood transfusion

American  

noun

1. the injection of blood from one person or animal into the bloodstream of another.

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transfusion, blood Cultural  

1. The 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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of blood transfusion

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

“I got my blood transfusion when I married my wife.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

The second time it happened, Harrison experienced life-threatening sepsis and had to travel to a hospital outside her insurance network to receive a blood transfusion, the complaint states.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

The network desperately needed something fresh – not just a facelift, but a full blood transfusion.

From Salon • Aug. 2, 2025

If a previous blood transfusion is confirmed, patients will be able to test themselves for hepatitis C at home, using a finger prick blood test which is then posted to a lab for analysis.

From BBC • May 18, 2025

Dr. Musoke abandoned his efforts to give his patient a blood transfusion for fear that the patient would bleed to death out of the small hole in his arm.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston