bladder

noun

blad·​der ˈbla-dər How to pronounce bladder (audio)
1
a
: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas
especially : urinary bladder
b
: a gas- or air-filled vesicle in certain algae and aquatic plants (such as rockweed) : air bladder sense b
2
: something (such as the rubber bag inside a football) resembling a bladder
bladderlike
ˈbla-dər-līk How to pronounce bladder (audio)
adjective

Examples of bladder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Men may also suffer from erectile dysfunction, weight loss, extreme fatigue, weakness in the legs or feet, or loss of bladder or bowel control. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Many paralyzed cats cannot relieve themselves independently and may need manual bladder and bowel expression on a regular schedule. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 One of the most overlooked is the feeling that the bladder never fully empties. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The Buffaloes are coming off a trying 3-9 season that began with Sanders undergoing surgery to remove his cancerous bladder. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bladder

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English blǣdre; akin to Old High German blātara bladder, Old English blāwan to blow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bladder was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing bladder

Rhymes for bladder

See All Rhymes for bladder

Browse Nearby Words

blad
bladder
bladder-and-string
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bladder. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bladder

noun
blad·​der ˈblad-ər How to pronounce bladder (audio)
1
: a pouch in an animal in which a liquid or gas is stored
especially : one into which urine passes from the kidneys and is stored temporarily until discharged by way of the urethra
2
: something resembling a bladder
especially : a bag or container that can be blown up with air
bladderlike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce bladder (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

bladder

noun
blad·​der ˈblad-ər How to pronounce bladder (audio)
1
: a membranous sac in animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or contains gas
especially : urinary bladder
2
: a vesicle or pouch forming part of an animal body
the bladder of a tapeworm larva

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