noun
thrombus
THROM-buhs
Thrombus (noun) means a clot of blood that forms inside a blood vessel and can block blood flow. Example: “A thrombus in the leg can cause severe swelling.”
noun
1
medical A clot of blood that forms inside a blood vessel and can block blood flow.
"A thrombus in the leg can cause severe swelling."
"Doctors gave her medication to dissolve the thrombus."
"An untreated thrombus may break loose and travel to the lungs."
How to use thrombus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blood clot that forms inside a vessel and can block circulation.
When to use it
This is a clinical term used mainly by doctors and in medical writing; blood clot is the everyday equivalent.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
form a thrombus
dissolve a thrombus
risk of thrombus
venous thrombus
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like thrombus.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ in the leg can cause severe swelling.
Etymology
Thrombus comes from New Latin thrombus, which was itself taken from the Ancient Greek thrombos, meaning a lump or clot. The Greek word could also describe curdled milk.
Frequently asked questions
What is a thrombus?
It is a clot made of platelets and other blood components that forms inside a blood vessel and can obstruct blood flow.
What is the plural of thrombus?
The plural is thrombi.
Is a thrombus the same as an embolus?
No. A thrombus stays at the point where it formed, whereas a related term, embolus, describes a clot or other mass that has travelled through the bloodstream.
What is the meaning of thrombus?
"thrombus" (noun) means a clot of blood that forms inside a blood vessel and can block blood flow.
