# bladder

/ˈbɫædɝ/ (US) · /blˈædɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bladder
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. body organ

noun · CEFR B2

the organ in your body that holds urine before it leaves the body.

For teachers: the urinary bladder; a muscular sac in the pelvis that stores urine excreted by the kidneys.

- Drinking a lot of water will fill your bladder quickly.
- The surgeon noted that the patient's bladder was slightly inflamed, likely due to a chronic infection that had gone untreated for several months.

### 2. flexible container

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a flexible bag inside something that holds air or liquid, like inside a football.

For teachers: an inflatable internal bag or sac used to contain gas or liquid within a larger structure.

- The football wouldn't stay inflated because the rubber bladder inside was leaking.
- Modern hydration packs feature a heavy-duty plastic bladder that can withstand significant pressure without bursting during strenuous outdoor activities.

### 3. plant/animal sac

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small, hollow part of a plant or sea animal that is filled with air.

For teachers: a hollow, air-filled organ in certain plants or aquatic animals, often providing buoyancy.

- The seaweed has small bladders that help it float on the surface of the water.
- The gas bladder of the fish allows it to maintain its depth in the water column without expending excessive energy on swimming.

## Examples

- I need to find a bathroom because my bladder is full.
- Drinking too much coffee can irritate the bladder and make you feel like you need to go more often.
- The surgeon carefully examined the wall of the bladder for any signs of inflammation or abnormal cell growth during the routine procedure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.