1. The ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood, expressed as a percentage; used as a measure of oxygen-carrying capacity.
Usage: Also spelled hematocrit (U.S. variant).; Medical/clinical term.; Often abbreviated as Hct or HCT in medical contexts.

Examples

• The doctor ordered a blood test to check the patient's haematocrit level.
• A normal haematocrit for adult males ranges from 41 to 53 percent.
• Low haematocrit can indicate anemia or blood loss.
• Athletes sometimes have higher haematocrit values due to increased red blood cell production.
• The haematocrit test is a routine part of a complete blood count.