arterial

American  

[ahr-teer-ee-uhl] / ɑrˈtɪər i əl /

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.

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noun

arterials plural

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

   funds to resurface the main arterials of the city.

arterial British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonarterial
  adjective
• postarterial
  adjective
• arterially
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• arterials
  plural

Etymology

Origin of arterial

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arterial arterials

The other is evaluating a temporary arterial treatment device called Nexsphere-F, which blocks small blood vessels in the knee that may contribute to inflammation and pain.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026

The chosen location was not a stadium, but an urban setting ideal for spreading a visible, continuous wave: the emblematic Paseo de la Reforma, an iconic arterial road inspired by European boulevards.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

The report simply stated there is “no arterial obstruction or structural abnormalities” in the heart or major blood vessels, which could simply mean there isn’t a blockage, physicians said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

In rare circumstances, Salmonella can result in severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

Here the sidewalks were shot through with arterial cracks and studded with menacing weeds that had evolved to survive torrential rain and the lack of pollinators.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

“Which offered more land for parking, easier loading and unloading by trucks, convenient access to highways and arterials, and a development context for much larger stores.”

From Salon ● Mar. 24, 2024

Interstate highways and wide arterials are now a defining feature of most metropolitan areas, their constant flow of cars spewing pollution into nearby neighborhoods.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2023

By holding speeds to 20 mph in school zones, and 25 mph on surrounding arterials, drivers can better avoid kids crossing the street, or even if students unexpectedly step into traffic lanes, she said.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 4, 2023

The urban forester’s desire for bigger canopies and the street designer’s plan for a real bus shelter cannot be overruled by the transportation department’s desire to keep traffic moving smoothly on urban arterials.

From Slate ● May 22, 2023

The city’s multilane arterials are the most dangerous, particularly to walkers and bicyclists.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 23, 2023