Word
bolus
Phoneticsbo·lus, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈboʊɫəs/
UK/bˈəʊləs/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a soft rounded lump of chewed food that you swallow in one go. Doctors also use it for a large dose of medicine given quickly at one time.
n. a rounded mass of masticated food prepared in the mouth for swallowing. By extension, a single large dose of a drug or fluid administered rapidly to achieve an immediate physiological effect.
Examples
“He swallows the bolus of rice in one gulp.”
“The nurse gives the patient a bolus of saline through the IV to raise blood pressure quickly.”
“After chewing, the tongue shapes the food into a bolus that slides down the throat, a process researchers study to understand swallowing disorders in elderly patients.”
Examples
simple
“He swallows the bolus of rice in one gulp.”
contextual
“The nurse gives the patient a bolus of saline through the IV to raise blood pressure quickly.”
complex
“After chewing, the tongue shapes the food into a bolus that slides down the throat, a process researchers study to understand swallowing disorders in elderly patients.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bolus” in context.
Verb
01. administer bolus
“The doctor decided to administer a bolus before starting the drip.”
verb + noun
02. bolus lodges
“Occasionally the bolus lodges in the throat and causes choking.”
noun + verb
03. bolus obstructs
“If the bolus obstructs the airway, immediate intervention is vital.”
noun + verb
04. bolus passes
“Once formed, the bolus passes down the oesophagus by peristalsis.”
noun + verb
05. dislodge bolus
“Surgeons used forceps to dislodge the bolus from the airway.”
verb + noun
06. form bolus
“Saliva helps teeth grind food and form a smooth bolus.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. impacted bolus
“Endoscopy revealed an impacted bolus lodged in the lower oesophagus.”
adj + noun
08. initial bolus
“An initial bolus of heparin was injected before the continuous infusion.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. bolus of food
“Each bolus of food travels from the mouth to the stomach.”
noun + prep + noun
10. bolus of insulin
“He injected a bolus of insulin to cover the carbohydrate meal.”
noun + prep + noun
11. deliver a single insulin bolus
“The pump can deliver a single insulin bolus before meals.”
12. dislodge an impacted food bolus
“Endoscopists used a snare to dislodge an impacted food bolus.”
Usage
Plural is 'boluses' or 'boli'.
Etymology
From Late Latin bōlus (“clod of earth, lump”), plural bōlī, from Ancient Greek βῶλος (bôlos, “clod, lump”). Doublet of bole.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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