arterial

[ahr-teer-ee-uhl]

adjective

1. Physiology.,  pertaining to the blood in the pulmonary vein, in the left side of the heart, and in most arteries, having been oxygenated during its passage through the lungs and being normally bright red.

2. Anatomy.,  of, relating to, or resembling the arteries.

3. being or constituting a main route, channel, or other course of flow or access, often with many branches.

   an arterial highway; an arterial drainage system.

noun

1. a main route, channel, or other course of flow or access.

   funds to resurface the main arterials of the city.

arterial

/ ɑːˈtɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affecting an artery or arteries

   arterial disease

2. denoting or relating to the usually bright red reoxygenated blood returning from the lungs or gills that circulates in the arteries

3. being a major route, esp one with many minor branches

   an arterial road

Other Word Forms

• arterially adverb
• nonarterial adjective
• postarterial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arterial¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin artēriālis. See artery, -al ¹

Example Sentences

"It is a major arterial junction, where any demonstration would have a serious and significant effect to not only the local area, but also wider London."

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To address this question, the research team explored at a cellular level how immune checkpoint inhibitors interact with immune cells within arterial plaques.

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Second, they added a backing layer to dampen redundant vibrations from the transducers, resulting in improved signal clarity and tracking accuracy of arterial walls.

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Excess cholesterol is known to form artery-clogging plaques that can lead to stroke, arterial disease, heart attack, and more, making it the focus of many heart health campaigns.

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Some drivers who use the arterial bridge - connecting M25 stretches in Kent and Essex across the River Thames - have told the BBC they have faced account problems and hefty penalties.

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