hemoglobin
noun
he·mo·glo·bin
| \ ˈhē-mə-ˌglō-bən
\
\
Definition of hemoglobin
1
: an iron-containing respiratory pigment of vertebrate red blood cells that consists of a globin composed of four subunits each of which is linked to a heme molecule, that functions in oxygen transport to the tissues after conversion to oxygenated form in the gills or lungs, and that assists in carbon dioxide transport back to the gills or lungs after surrender of its oxygen
2
: any of numerous iron-containing respiratory pigments of various organisms (such as invertebrates and yeasts)
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Examples of hemoglobin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Normally fetal hemoglobin, which provides the developing fetus with oxygen via the blood while in utero, is shut off about six months after birth, and genes for adult hemoglobin are turned on. — Time, "CRISPR Gene Editing Is Being Tested in Human Patients, and the Results Could Revolutionize Health Care," 6 Aug. 2019 Anthropologist Cynthia Beall has measured sea level-like hemoglobin values in hundreds of Tibetans living more than 2 miles high. — Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, "The World Is Our Niche," 3 June 2019 There are marine worms with violet blood and leeches with green blood — but lizards use the same red-inducing hemoglobin to carry oxygen as humans do. — Laura Yan, Popular Mechanics, "Green-Blooded Lizards Live With a Pigment That Should Kill Them," 20 May 2018 This form of hemoglobin is normally turned off after birth. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Biotech notebook: Public service on stem cell science," 6 July 2019 Juan Caballero, a 69-year old Hallandale Beach resident with sickle cell, participated in a clinical trial for Voxelotor for two years and saw a positive result; his hemoglobin levels rose from dangerously low levels. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, sun-sentinel.com, "South Floridians urged to take part in research leading to breakthroughs in fight against sickle cell disease," 8 June 2019 Even lowlanders can acclimate, eventually producing extra red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. — Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, "The World Is Our Niche," 3 June 2019 The proprietary solution is based on hemoglobin, the oxygen-ferrying protein in red blood cells, and is made to show up in ultrasound scans, so researchers can track its flow through the brain. — Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "Pig brains partially revived hours after death—what it means for people," 17 Apr. 2019 Pregnant people are more at risk of iron deficiency because their blood volume increases by 20 to 30 percent, calling for more iron to create hemoglobin that can send oxygenated red blood cells all over the body. — Kristin Auble, SELF, "9 Facts to Know About Restless Legs Syndrome," 16 Mar. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hemoglobin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for hemoglobin
hemoglobin
noun
English Language Learners Definition of hemoglobin
technical
: the part of blood that contains iron, carries oxygen through the body, and gives blood its red color
See the full definition for hemoglobin in the English Language Learners Dictionary
hemoglobin
noun
he·mo·glo·bin
| \ ˈhē-mə-ˌglō-bən
\
\
Kids Definition of hemoglobin
: a protein of red blood cells that contains iron and carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs
hemoglobin
noun
he·mo·glo·bin
variants:
or chiefly British haemoglobin \ ˈhē-mə-ˌglō-bən
\
\
Medical Definition of hemoglobin
1
: an iron-containing respiratory pigment of vertebrate red blood cells that functions primarily in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body, that consists of four polypeptide chains of which two are of the type designated alpha and two are of one of the types designated beta, gamma, or delta and each of which is linked to a heme molecule, that combines loosely and reversibly with oxygen in the lungs or gills to form oxyhemoglobin and with carbon dioxide in the tissues to form carbaminohemoglobin, that in humans is present normally in blood to the extent of 14 to 16 grams in 100 milliliters expressed sometimes on a scale of 0 to 100 with an average normal value (as 15 grams) taken as 100, and that is determined in blood either colorimetrically or by quantitative estimation of the iron present — see fetal hemoglobin, hemoglobin a — compare carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin
2
: any of numerous iron-containing respiratory pigments of various organisms (as invertebrates and yeasts)
Other Words from hemoglobin
hemoglobinic
or chiefly British haemoglobinic \ ˌhē-mə-glō-ˈbin-ik
\
adjective
\
adjective
hemoglobinous
or chiefly British haemoglobinous \ -ˈglō-bə-nəs
\
adjective
\
adjective
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