phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbä-tə-mē How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
plural phlebotomies
: the drawing of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures
a company that provides mobile phlebotomy
While scientists struggle to understand the molecular subtleties of hemochromatosis, the clinical treatment of the disorder remains remarkably primitive: serial phlebotomy. That is, weekly bloodletting.—David A. Shaywitz

Note: Phlebotomy was once widely used to treat many types of disease but is now limited to the treatment of only a few conditions like hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera.

called also venesection

phlebotomist
fli-ˈbä-tə-mist How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
noun

Examples of phlebotomy 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.
The first step involves getting your blood drawn through a practice known as phlebotomy. — Nicholas Moore, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2023 By offering in-home convenience and state-of-the-art facilities wherever patients are, Carrie strives to redefine the phlebotomy experience. — Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 Kellie Brownlow, the chief mission officer for First Step, said the company promises to deliver employees who are on time and ready to work in places like manufacturing plants, warehouses and phlebotomy labs. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025 Associates degrees at Campus include business administration and paralegal studies, and students can get certificates in areas such as medical assisting and phlebotomy. — Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 6 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for phlebotomy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fleobotomie, from Middle French flebothomie, from Late Latin phlebotomia, from Greek, from phleb- + -tomia -tomy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phlebotomy was in the 14th century

Rhymes for phlebotomy

See All Rhymes for phlebotomy

Browse Nearby Words

phlebotomus fever
phlebotomy
Phlegethon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Phlebotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phlebotomy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

phlebotomy

noun
phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
: the removal of blood from a vein chiefly for transfusion or diagnosis and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions

Medical Definition

phlebotomy

noun
phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē How to pronounce phlebotomy (audio)
plural phlebotomies
: the letting of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions (as hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera)

called also venesection, venotomy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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