ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hemoglobin

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˌhiməˈɡɫoʊbən// he·mo·glo·bin

n. a red protein in your blood that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. It is what makes your blood look red.

n. a complex iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen and transports it through the bloodstream. It is responsible for the characteristic red colour of blood.


SIMPLE

The doctor checked my hemoglobin levels to see if I was anemic.

CONTEXTUAL

Low hemoglobin levels can lead to fatigue and shortness of breath because the body isn't getting enough oxygen.

COMPLEX

The structure of hemoglobin allows it to bind oxygen in the lungs and release it in the tissues, making it essential for cellular respiration.

Synonyms
Origin

Originally hematinoglobulin, from hematin (from Ancient Greek αἷμα (haîma, “blood”) + -in) + -o- + globulin (from Latin globus (“ball, sphere”) + -in).

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