to lose blood from the body as a result of injury or illness, to draw blood from a person or animal for medical purposes, to ooze or exude a liquid, especially when under pressure or damaged

make someone's blood run cold, bloodletting, bleed dry

Formal and Informal Expressions of bleed

In different contexts, you can replace 'bleed' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'hemorrhage, exude' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'gush, leak' is a commonplace synonym.

bleed: Explore its Definition & Usage

bleed Definition

1to lose blood from the body as a result of injury or illness
2to draw blood from a person or animal for medical purposes
3to ooze or exude a liquid, especially when under pressure or damaged

Using bleed: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bleed" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The patient is bleeding heavily and needs immediate attention.
Example
The nurse will need to bleed the patient to obtain a blood sample.
Example
The ink bled through the paper and ruined the drawing.
Example
The colors on the shirt bled in the wash and stained other clothes.
Example
The company is bleeding money and needs to cut costs.

bleed Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for bleed

Antonyms for bleed

clot
coagulate

Phrases with bleed

make someone's blood run cold
to cause someone to feel extreme fear or horror
Example
The sight of the car crash made my blood run cold.
bloodletting
the practice of withdrawing blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness or disease
Example
Bloodletting was a common medical treatment in ancient times.
bleed dry
to drain or exhaust completely, especially financially
Example
The company's extravagant spending has bled it dry.

Origins of bleed

from Old English 'blēdan', meaning 'to bleed, to sacrifice'

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Summary: bleed in Brief

The verb 'bleed' [bliːd] can refer to losing blood due to injury or illness, drawing blood for medical purposes, or oozing or exuding a liquid. Examples include 'The patient is bleeding heavily and needs immediate attention.' and 'The ink bled through the paper and ruined the drawing.' Phrases like 'make someone's blood run cold' and 'bleed dry' add idiomatic and metaphorical meanings.