bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈbla-dər 

1

a

: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas

especially : urinary bladder

b

: a gas- or air-filled vesicle in certain algae and aquatic plants (such as rockweed) : air bladder sense b

2

: something (such as the rubber bag inside a football) resembling a bladder

bladderlike

ˈbla-dər-līk 

adjective

Examples of bladder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This tissue can also grow on the bladder, bowel, diaphragm, and the space between the lungs and chest wall.1 Imaging techniques can give healthcare providers a look inside your body. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 13 Feb. 2025

Hector Corvera was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023.NBC News Covera was too overwhelmed with his cancer diagnosis to push his doctor for more explanation. —Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025

There’s then an old-fashioned intermission since this nearly four-hour movie runs up against the limits of the human bladder. —Anthony Paletta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025

The Riverdale alum, 28, revealed in a Self interview that she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis — a condition that involves an inflamed or irritated bladder wall, per John Hopkins Medicine — around October of last year. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English blǣdre; akin to Old High German blātara bladder, Old English blāwan to blow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bladder

• bladder kelp
• giant bladder kelp
• urinary bladder

Kids Definition

bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈblad-ər 

1

: a pouch in an animal in which a liquid or gas is stored

especially : one into which urine passes from the kidneys and is stored temporarily until discharged by way of the urethra

2

: something resembling a bladder

especially : a bag or container that can be blown up with air

bladderlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Medical Definition

bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈblad-ər 

1

: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas

especially : urinary bladder

2

: a vesicle or pouch forming part of an animal body

the bladder of a tapeworm larva