noun
phlebotomy
fli-BOT-uh-mee
Phlebotomy (noun) means the practice of drawing blood from a vein with a needle, for testing, donation or treatment. Example: “She trained in phlebotomy before applying to nursing school.”
noun
1
medical The practice of drawing blood from a vein with a needle, for testing, donation or treatment.
"She trained in phlebotomy before applying to nursing school."
"Report to the phlebotomy department on the ground floor."
2
medical The deliberate removal of a quantity of blood as a therapy, used in conditions where the body holds too much iron or too many red cells.
"Patients with haemochromatosis need regular therapeutic phlebotomy."
How to use phlebotomy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTaking blood out of a vein with a needle.
When to use it
Medical; the person who does it is a phlebotomist.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
phlebotomy technician
therapeutic phlebotomy
phlebotomy training
phlebotomy chair
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Etymology
From Greek phleps, phlebos 'vein' and -tomia 'cutting'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for phlebotomy
roomy
gloomy
sodomy
economy
anatomy
taxonomy
autonomy
lobotomy
dichotomy
astronomy
colostomy
vasectomy
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of phlebotomy?
"phlebotomy" (noun) means the practice of drawing blood from a vein with a needle, for testing, donation or treatment.
