plasma

Everyday

1. (science) The pale yellow liquid part of blood that carries blood cells, food and waste around the body. tree →
2. (science) A fourth state of matter: a very hot gas in which particles have an electric charge, as in the Sun, lightning and neon signs. tree →
3. A kind of flat-screen television (a plasma TV or «a plasma»). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about blood, plasma is about 55% of blood; people can donate plasma. In physics, after solid, liquid and gas, plasma is called the fourth state of matter; stars are made mostly of plasma. Phrases: «blood plasma», «plasma TV», «plasma ball», «states of matter».

Examples

• Plasma is the liquid part of blood. tree →
• Red cells float in the plasma. tree →
• The Sun is a giant ball of plasma. tree →
• Lightning makes plasma for a split second. tree →
• Touch the plasma ball and the purple sparks follow your finger. tree →
• Grandma still has an old plasma TV. tree →
• Some people donate plasma to help patients. tree →

Note

Uncountable in the science senses. Pronounced PLAZ-ma. Trap: in science «plasma» (state of matter) has nothing to do with blood plasma — same word, different meanings. Do not confuse with «plaster».