phlebotomy
3 synonyms for phlebotomy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The practice of drawing blood from a vein with a needle, for testing, donation or treatment.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use phlebotomy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
phlebotomy technician
therapeutic phlebotomy
phlebotomy training
phlebotomy chair
Medical; the person who does it is a phlebotomist.
Etymology
From Greek phleps, phlebos 'vein' and -tomia 'cutting'.
Full origin of phlebotomy →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between phlebotomy and venipuncture?
Venipuncture is the act of puncturing a vein with a needle. Phlebotomy is the wider practice of drawing blood, which is nearly always done by venipuncture but also covers capillary sticks and therapeutic bleeding.
Is phlebotomy the same as bloodletting?
Historically yes — bloodletting was phlebotomy used as a cure-all. Modern therapeutic phlebotomy is narrow and evidence-based, prescribed for specific conditions such as iron overload or polycythaemia.
How long does it take to become a phlebotomist?
In most countries it is a short vocational course of a few weeks to a few months plus supervised practice, rather than a full degree. Requirements vary by state or region.
