artery
Americannoun
plural
arteries-
Anatomy. a blood vessel that conveys blood from the heart to any part of the body.
-
a main channel or highway, especially of a connected system with many branches.
noun
-
any of the tubular thick-walled muscular vessels that convey oxygenated blood from the heart to various parts of the body Compare pulmonary artery vein
-
a major road or means of communication in any complex system
Etymology
Origin of artery
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin artēria, from Greek artēría “windpipe, trachea, artery”; see aorta
Explanation
An artery is a major blood vessel that carries blood away from your heart. For a healthy heart, keep your arteries clean! The word artery comes from the Greek arteria, which means "windpipe." In ancient times, an artery was thought to be a kind of air duct, because after someone dies, their arteries are empty of blood. Today we know that arteries (and veins) perform a vital job, constantly moving blood around our bodies. Systems of rivers or roads with networks and branches that resemble the human circulatory system can also be called arteries.
Vocabulary lists containing artery
"Joyas Voladoras" by Brian Doyle
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Red Kayak
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Human Anatomy and Physiology - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
More than three decades ago at the high school, Artery practiced for the play “The Lion In Winter,” which was canceled over the existence of one gay character.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2024
Artery calcification is almost twice as common in night owls compared to early birds, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023
Sudan's long-standing economic woes have been exacerbated since last month by the blockade of the Northern Artery, a key route for trucks carrying exports from Sudan into Egypt.
From Reuters • Feb. 10, 2022
After an acclaimed debut last spring, Ferver’s “Everything Is Imaginable” receives a weeklong encore, as part of both the American Realness festival and the Live Artery showcase.
From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2019
Among the larger branches given off from its anterior portion are two descending, one on each side of the extensor pedis, to assist in the formation of the Circumflex Artery of the Coronary Cushion.
From Diseases of the Horse's Foot by Reeks, Harry Caulton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.