noun
-
the blood, considered as vital to sustain life
-
the essential or animating force
Etymology
Origin of lifeblood
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.
Logistics is the lifeblood of the economy—and J.B.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
“Investors are going to be focused on that metric and trends there, given engagement is really the lifeblood of the company and really what fuels the long-term revenue and earnings growth.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
Oil is the lifeblood of the Russian economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
"Football was his lifeblood," said Jordan, noting that after the Bradford fire, Yorath attended the funerals of all those who died.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026
For many lads, it’s their lifeblood, and it shouldn’t be restricted, withdrawn, or used manipulatively except under the most serious circumstances.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
