Definition of HEMOGLOBIN

hemoglobin

Meanings

Plural: hemoglobins

Noun

  • a hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
    • "fish have simpler hemoglobin than mammals"
  • The iron-containing substance in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body; it consists of a protein (globulin), and haem (a porphyrin ring with an atom of iron at its centre).

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

haemoglobin, Hb, Hgb, HGB

Scrabble Score: 18

hemoglobin is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
hemoglobin is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hemoglobin is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 22

hemoglobin is a valid Words With Friends word