plasma

noun

plas·​ma ˈplaz-mə 

1

: a green faintly translucent quartz

2

[New Latin, from Late Latin]

a

: the fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk as distinguished from suspended material

especially : blood plasma

b

: the juice that can be expressed from muscle

3

: protoplasm

4

: a collection of charged particles (as in the atmospheres of stars or in a metal) containing about equal numbers of positive ions and electrons and exhibiting some properties of a gas but differing from a gas in being a good conductor of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field

5

: a display (such as a television screen) consisting of discrete cells of plasma sandwiched between two layers of glass and electrodes such that each cell emits light when it receives an electric current

plasmatic

plaz-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of plasma in a Sentence

the plasma that makes up a star

Our new TV is a 50-inch plasma.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eighth Day’s exclusive plasma contains 24 different forms of growth factors, peptides, and amino acids to address multiple skin concerns, including inflammation and fine lines, all at once. —Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Sep. 2024

Observing how the samples moved through the plasma, the authors calculated the thrust generated by eruptions of steam from the samples' surface. —David Bressan, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur who once had his son’s plasma infused with his blood in an attempt to extend his own life, recently spent $25,000 on stem cell injections intended to rejuvenate his middle-aged joints. —Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 15 Aug. 2024

Another study by the same group found that the artificial sweetener xylitol produced similar increases in plasma levels and affected clotting in the same way. —Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German, from Late Latin, something molded, from Greek, from plassein to mold — more at plaster

First Known Use

1517, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plasma

• blood plasma
• convalescent plasma
• plasma cell
• plasma jet
• plasma membrane
• plasma torch

Kids Definition

plasma

noun

plas·​ma ˈplaz-mə 

1

: the watery part of blood, lymph, or milk

2

: a collection of charged particles that shows some characteristics of a gas but that differs from a gas in being a good conductor of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field

Medical Definition

plasma

noun

plas·​ma ˈplaz-mə 

1

a

: the fluid part especially of blood, lymph, or milk that is distinguished from suspended material see blood plasma

b

: the juice that can be expressed from muscle

2

: protoplasm

3

: a mixture of starch and gel used as an ointment base