blood vessel

noun

: any of the vessels through which blood circulates in the body

Examples of blood vessel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Surgeons work around structures separated by only tiny distances, including the optic nerves and major blood vessels. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 Long-term use is linked to blood vessel and cardiovascular impairment. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Those changes could affect cytokines, proteins that can induce changes in the endothelial cells lining blood vessel walls. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026 This latest work reflects a broader effort in the field of precision medicine to unpack all the ways molecules — in blood vessels, muscles, the liver and other organs — respond to exercise, including different intensities. — Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blood vessel

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blood vessel was in 1655

Rhymes for blood vessel

See All Rhymes for blood vessel

Browse Nearby Words

blood vengeance
blood vessel
blood-warm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blood vessel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blood%20vessel. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

blood vessel

noun
: a vessel (as an artery or vein) in which blood circulates in the body of an animal

Medical Definition

blood vessel

noun
: any of the vessels through which blood circulates in the body

More from Merriam-Webster on blood vessel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blood vessel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All