the colorless watery fluid of the blood and lymph that contains no cells, but in which the blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes) are suspended
"The technician spun the centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the remaining colorless plasma."
a green slightly translucent variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone
"The jeweler carefully selected a rare piece of plasma for the center of her engagement ring, admiring its unique green hue."
(physical chemistry) a fourth state of matter distinct from solid or liquid or gas and present in stars and fusion reactors; a gas becomes a plasma when it is heated until the atoms lose all their electrons, leaving a highly electrified collection of nuclei and free electrons
"particles in space exist in the form of a plasma"
A state of matter consisting of partially ionized gas and electrons
"The physicist explained that inside the fusion reactor, hydrogen atoms are stripped apart to create a superheated plasma where free electrons dance among the ions."
In plain English: Plasma is a superheated, electrically charged state of matter where atoms are stripped of their electrons.
"Doctors use plasma from donated blood to treat patients with severe burns."
Usage: In everyday contexts, plasma refers to the blood component that carries red cells, white cells, and platelets throughout the body. Do not use this term for the state of ionized gas unless discussing physics or specialized scientific applications.
The word plasma comes from the Late Latin term plasma, which means "mold." This was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word plásma, referring to something that has been formed or shaped.