hematolysis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “hematolysis” mean?
The destruction of red blood cells, causing the release of hemoglobin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The destruction of red blood cells, causing the release of hemoglobin.
The process or result of lysing (breaking down) red blood cells (erythrocytes), either as a normal physiological function or a pathological event. In medicine, it's synonymous with hemolysis, but the spelling reflects the Greek root 'haima' (blood).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary spelling in UK English is 'haematolysis' (with 'ae'), while US English prefers 'hematolysis' (without 'a'). The simplified US spelling 'hemolysis' is vastly more common in both regions for this concept.
Connotations
Identical in meaning; the difference is purely orthographic, reflecting regional spelling conventions for words of Greek origin.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. 'Hemolysis' (US) / 'Haemolysis' (UK) is the overwhelmingly dominant term in clinical and laboratory practice. 'H(a)ematolysis' is considered a more formal or dated variant.
Grammar
How to Use “hematolysis” in a Sentence
The [agent/substance] caused hematolysis in the [sample/patient].Hematolysis of [red blood cells/erythrocytes] was observed.The condition is characterized by [extensive] hematolysis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hematolysis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The toxin was observed to haematolyse the erythrocytes.
- The sample had haematolysed, rendering it unusable.
American English
- The chemical can hematolyse red blood cells in vitro.
- The stored blood began to hematolyse after thermal shock.
adjective
British English
- The haematolytic agent was identified.
- They noted a haematolytic reaction in the serum.
American English
- The test detects hematolytic antibodies.
- This is a known hematolytic disorder.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in specialized medical, biological, and biochemical research papers or textbooks, though 'hemolysis/haemolysis' is preferred.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in clinical pathology, hematology, transfusion medicine, and laboratory reports to describe blood sample quality or disease processes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hematolysis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hematolysis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hematolysis”
- Misspelling as 'hematolosis' or 'haematolosis'.
- Confusing it with 'hematology' (the study of blood).
- Using it in non-scientific contexts.
- Pronouncing the 'hema-' as /heɪmə/ instead of /hiːmə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they mean exactly the same thing: the rupture or destruction of red blood cells. 'Hemolysis' (US) / 'Haemolysis' (UK) is the far more common spelling in modern medical practice.
Yes. It can occur in vitro (in a test tube) due to improper handling of blood samples (e.g., freezing, heating, or excessive shaking), making them unsuitable for testing.
Pathological causes include certain infections (like malaria), autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia), reactions to drugs or toxins, and incompatible blood transfusions.
It leads to anemia (low red blood cell count), releases free hemoglobin which can damage kidneys, and causes jaundice due to the release of bilirubin from the broken-down hemoglobin.
The destruction of red blood cells, causing the release of hemoglobin.
Hematolysis is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Hematolysis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhiː.məˈtɒl.ɪ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiː.məˈtɑː.lɪ.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the parts: HEMATO- (blood) + LYSIS (breaking apart). It's the 'blood-breaking' process.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable. This is a literal, technical term for a physical process.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'hematolysis' MOST appropriately be used?