What does haemorrhage mean?
Haemorrhage is a formal medical term for bleeding, especially a sudden and substantial loss of blood from a damaged blood vessel. It can also be used figuratively for a rapid, severe loss of money, resources, personnel, or confidence. The noun is commonly used in reports of internal or external bleeding, while the verb describes a person, organisation, or system that is losing blood or resources quickly and heavily. In medical contexts, the term conveys urgency and seriousness; in figurative use, it suggests a crisis or uncontrolled depletion. Unlike the broader word “bleeding”, haemorrhage usually implies severity or a sudden loss. It is therefore useful when precision matters, especially in healthcare, news reporting, and discussion of financial or organisational collapse. In British English it is the standard spelling, while American English generally uses “hemorrhage”; both forms are pronounced similarly.
A substantial loss of blood caused by bleeding from a damaged blood vessel; figuratively, a rapid and severe loss of money, resources, or other assets.
"The surgeon found a small haemorrhage near the damaged artery."
The medical use is more specific and more urgent in implication than the general word “bleeding”.
To bleed heavily; figuratively, to lose money, resources, or other assets rapidly and on a large scale.
"The charity haemorrhaged funds after its principal donor withdrew its support."
Figurative use generally implies a sudden, severe, or uncontrolled loss.
Usually countable when referring to separate bleeding episodes or instances.
"The hospital recorded three severe haemorrhages during the night."
Literally, haemorrhage means “flow of blood”: it combines Greek haima, meaning “blood,” with rhein, meaning “to flow.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haemorrhage come from?
The word comes through Latin haemorrhagia from Greek haimorrhoia. Greek haima means “blood”, while rhein means “to flow”, so the name literally describes the flow of blood. The same Greek blood-root underlies cognates including haemoglobin, haematology, and haemophilia.
Related word forms
How haemorrhage is actually used
The word is formal and clinical, carrying greater urgency and severity than the broader word “bleeding.” In figurative use, it normally suggests a sudden, serious, or uncontrolled loss rather than gradual depletion.
Easily confused with haemorrhage
This is the standard American spelling of the same word rather than a different medical condition.
A haemorrhage is active bleeding from a damaged blood vessel, whereas haemorrhoids are swollen vascular cushions in the anal canal that may sometimes bleed.