bolus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “bolus” mean?
A small, rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing.
1. A single, relatively large quantity of a substance given intravenously (e.g., medicine). 2. A large pill, especially for veterinary use. 3. In soil science, a soft, cohesive lump of clay.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The veterinary and medical uses are identical. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard within medical, veterinary, and certain scientific fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bolus” in a Sentence
administer/give [PATIENT] a bolus of [SUBSTANCE]the [SUBSTANCE] forms a bolusVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bolus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The nurse will bolus the antibiotic before the procedure.
- The drug is bolused over two minutes.
American English
- The doctor ordered to bolus the patient with fluids.
- The medication is designed to be bolused.
adverb
British English
- The drug was given bolus.
- Administer the contrast bolus.
American English
- Inject it bolus, not as an infusion.
- The fluid was pushed bolus.
adjective
British English
- The bolus dose was calculated carefully.
- Bolus administration is standard here.
American English
- We need a bolus injection protocol.
- Check the bolus delivery rate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, veterinary, and agricultural soil science papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare except in specific patient-care discussions.
Technical
Core term in medicine (IV therapy, radiology), veterinary medicine, and physiology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bolus”
- Mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'bonus' (/ˈbəʊnəs/).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'ball'.
- Confusing 'bolus injection' with a slow 'infusion'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term used almost exclusively in medical, veterinary, and related scientific fields.
Yes, in medical jargon (e.g., 'to bolus a patient with fluids'), meaning to administer a substance as a bolus.
A bolus is a rapid administration of a substance all at once or over a very short period. An infusion is a slow, steady delivery over a longer period, often using a drip.
No, its original and physiological meaning is the ball of chewed food in the mouth. Its technical uses in medicine and veterinary science are extensions of this 'rounded mass' concept.
A small, rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing.
Bolus is usually technical / medical in register.
Bolus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊləs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊləs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BOLl of food being rolled into a lump in your mouth before you Swallow (the 'us' sounds like 'us' swallowing it).
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE/FOOD IS A SOLID MASS FOR TRANSPORT.
Practice
Quiz
In a medical context, what does 'bolus' most specifically refer to?