phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbä-tə-mē 

plural phlebotomies

: the drawing of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures

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.

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

called also venesection

phlebotomist

fli-ˈbä-tə-mist 

noun

Examples of phlebotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The health center hired people already skilled at having nonjudgmental, de-stigmatizing conversations and trained them to provide clinal care, phlebotomy, advanced testing and injections. —Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

The classes, which are virtual and in person, include soft skills training, phlebotomy certification and community health worker certification. —Dallas News, 15 Mar. 2022

Currently the program offers phlebotomy and certified nurse assistants training and certification. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023

The interns rotate three times throughout the year across about 20 departments, ranging from nursing to the phlebotomy lab and security. —Dallas News, 31 May 2022

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

Kids Definition

phlebotomy

noun

phle·​bot·​o·​my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē 

: 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 

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