phlebotomy
noun
phle·bot·o·my fli-ˈbä-tə-mē 
plural phlebotomies
: the drawing of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures
Note: Phlebotomy was once widely used to treat many types of disease but is now limited to the treatment of only a few conditions like hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera.
While scientists struggle to understand the molecular subtleties of hemochromatosis, the clinical treatment of the disorder remains remarkably primitive: serial phlebotomy. That is, weekly bloodletting.
David A. Shaywitz
David A. Shaywitzcalled also venesection
phlebotomist
fli-ˈbä-tə-mist
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Students must complete 40 hours of hands-on classroom training, pass the national phlebotomy exam, and complete a 40-hour externship at a medical facility. Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Through deals with digital pharmacy site Capsule and bio specimen collection company Scarlet Health, Teladoc is now offering its Primary360 members same-day medication delivery and at-home phlebotomy services. Mario Aguilar, STAT, 8 July 2022 Working with our Refugee Services Office, Intermountain Healthcare and the University of Utah have trained refugees in fields like phlebotomy and pharmacy tech, hiring many into critical healthcare jobs. Spencer J. Cox, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2022 Witnesses often spent hours on the tedious minutiae of finance, chemistry, technology and phlebotomy. Erin Griffith, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2021 Once the iron level is in the target range, periodic phlebotomy is necessary to keep the iron in the normal range. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 July 2021 Existing capability differs wildly — some providers already offer home visits, home physio, home phlebotomy and prescription delivery. Tom Moon, Forbes, 7 May 2021 Myton was laid off too and was thinking of studying to be a phlebotomy technician or perhaps a dog groomer. Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2020 The school also includes phlebotomy and electrocardiographic technician instruction. Adrian Sainz, Star Tribune, 29 July 2020 See More
Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Through deals with digital pharmacy site Capsule and bio specimen collection company Scarlet Health, Teladoc is now offering its Primary360 members same-day medication delivery and at-home phlebotomy services. Mario Aguilar, STAT, 8 July 2022 Working with our Refugee Services Office, Intermountain Healthcare and the University of Utah have trained refugees in fields like phlebotomy and pharmacy tech, hiring many into critical healthcare jobs. Spencer J. Cox, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2022 Witnesses often spent hours on the tedious minutiae of finance, chemistry, technology and phlebotomy. Erin Griffith, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2021 Once the iron level is in the target range, periodic phlebotomy is necessary to keep the iron in the normal range. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 July 2021 Existing capability differs wildly — some providers already offer home visits, home physio, home phlebotomy and prescription delivery. Tom Moon, Forbes, 7 May 2021 Myton was laid off too and was thinking of studying to be a phlebotomy technician or perhaps a dog groomer. Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2020 The school also includes phlebotomy and electrocardiographic technician instruction. Adrian Sainz, Star Tribune, 29 July 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English fleobotomie, from Middle French flebothomie, from Late Latin phlebotomia, from Greek, from phleb- + -tomia -tomy
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
phlebotomy
noun
phle·bot·o·my fli-ˈbät-ə-mē
plural phlebotomies
: the letting of blood (as by venipuncture) for transfusion, apheresis, diagnostic testing, or experimental procedures and widely used in the past to treat many types of disease but now limited to the treatment of only a few specific conditions (as hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera)
called also venesection, venotomy