noun
Common
plasma
PLAZ-muh
Plasma (noun) means a state of matter made of ionized gas, distinct from solid, liquid, or gas, found in stars, lightning, and neon signs. Example: “Lightning heats the air until it becomes glowing plasma for a split second.”
noun
1
A state of matter made of ionized gas, distinct from solid, liquid, or gas, found in stars, lightning, and neon signs.
"Lightning heats the air until it becomes glowing plasma for a split second."
"Scientists study plasma to learn how stars produce their light."
"The sun's surface is made almost entirely of superheated plasma."
2
The pale yellow liquid part of blood that carries blood cells, proteins, and nutrients.
"Donated plasma is used to treat patients with clotting disorders."
How to use plasma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the fourth state of matter (ionized gas) or the liquid component of blood.
Common pairings
blood plasma
plasma donation
plasma screen
plasma physics
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Word forms
- Plural
- plasmas, plasmata
- Third person singular
- plasmas
- Past tense
- plasmaed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Lightning heats the air until it becomes glowing _____ for a split second.
Etymology
From Greek plasma, "something molded or formed," via Late Latin.
Synonyms
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plasm
blood plasma
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “plasma” mean?
The word “plasma” means a state of matter made of ionized gas, distinct from solid, liquid, or gas, found in stars, lightning, and neon signs. In plain terms, either the fourth state of matter (ionized gas) or the liquid component of blood.
How do you pronounce “plasma”?
“Plasma” is pronounced PLAZ-muh (/ˈplæzmə/ in IPA).
How do you use “plasma” in a sentence?
Here is “plasma” used in a sentence: “The sun's surface is made almost entirely of superheated plasma.”
What part of speech is “plasma”?
“Plasma” is a noun.
Where does the word “plasma” come from?
The word “plasma” comes from Late Latin. From Greek plasma, "something molded or formed," via Late Latin.
Is “plasma” a common word?
“Plasma” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “plasma” have?
“Plasma” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a state of matter made of ionized gas, distinct from solid, liquid, or gas, found in stars, lightning, and neon signs.
What is the difference between plasma in physics and plasma in blood?
In physics, plasma is a state of matter made of ionized gas, found in stars, lightning, and neon signs. In biology, plasma is the pale yellow liquid part of blood that carries cells, proteins, and nutrients — the two share a name but are completely different things.
What is the difference between plasma and serum in blood?
Blood plasma is the liquid portion of blood that still contains its clotting proteins, while serum is what remains after the blood has clotted and those proteins are removed. Both are pale yellow fluids, but plasma includes clotting factors and serum does not.
Why is plasma called the fourth state of matter?
Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter because it is distinct from solid, liquid, and gas. It forms when a gas becomes ionized, and this ionized state makes up stars, lightning, and the glow inside neon signs.
What is the difference between plasma and ordinary gas?
Plasma forms when a gas is energised enough that its atoms lose electrons and become ionized, giving it electrical properties an ordinary gas lacks. So while both can flow, plasma conducts electricity and responds to magnetic fields, unlike a normal gas.
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