hematocrit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical, Scientific, Medical
Quick answer
What does “hematocrit” mean?
The proportion of red blood cells in the blood, expressed as a percentage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The proportion of red blood cells in the blood, expressed as a percentage; also the laboratory test or apparatus used to measure this proportion.
In medical contexts, it can refer to the physical volume percentage of red cells in a centrifuged sample of blood, a critical indicator of blood health (e.g., for diagnosing anemia or polycythemia).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'haematocrit' (with 'ae') is standard in British English, while 'hematocrit' (with 'e') is standard in American English. The abbreviation 'HCT' or 'PCV' (packed cell volume) is also common, with PCV being slightly more frequent in UK clinical settings.
Connotations
Identical in meaning and technical connotation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in respective medical/technical registers. Virtually non-existent in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “hematocrit” in a Sentence
The hematocrit is [adjective: low/high/normal].We need to [verb: check/measure/determine] the hematocrit.A hematocrit of [number]% indicates [condition].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hematocrit” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The haematocrit reading was concerning.
- The PCV/haematocrit value is standard.
American English
- The hematocrit result came back low.
- We reviewed the hematocrit data from the trial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biomedical research papers, physiology, and medical textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only used when discussing specific medical test results with a doctor.
Technical
Core term in clinical medicine, nursing, laboratory science, and veterinary medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hematocrit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hematocrit”
- Mispronouncing the final syllable as 'crite' (/kraɪt/) instead of 'crit' (/krɪt/).
- Using it as a synonym for 'hemoglobin'.
- Incorrect plural: 'hematocrits' (acceptable when referring to multiple test results or devices).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be a sign of anaemia, which may require investigation and treatment depending on its cause and severity. Always consult a doctor.
Hematocrit is the volume percentage of red cells in blood. Hemoglobin is the protein inside red cells that carries oxygen. They are related but measure different things.
Typically, a small blood sample is spun in a centrifuge in a special tube, which separates the red cells from the plasma. The percentage of the column occupied by red cells is the hematocrit.
Common causes include dehydration (relative increase), lung disease, living at high altitude, or a bone marrow disorder causing excess red cell production (polycythemia).
The proportion of red blood cells in the blood, expressed as a percentage.
Hematocrit is usually technical, scientific, medical in register.
Hematocrit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhiː.mə.tə(ʊ).krɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhiː.mə.toʊ.krɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HEMA (blood) + CRIT (short for 'criteria' or 'critical') → a critical measure of your blood.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOOD IS A MIXTURE / The body is a machine (with measurable parameters).
Practice
Quiz
What does a hematocrit measure?