blood vessel

American  

noun

• blood vessels
  plural

1. any of the vessels, as arteries, veins, or capillaries, through which the blood circulates.

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blood vessel British  

noun

1. an artery, capillary, or vein

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blood vessel Scientific  

1. An elastic tube or passage in the body through which blood circulates; an artery, a vein, or a capillary.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• blood vessels
  plural

Etymology

Origin of blood vessel

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blood vessel

Tonsianus Sambang was visiting his mother, being treated for a ruptured blood vessel in her brain, when the quake struck.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

These antioxidants, found in certain foods, can support heart health, circulation and blood vessel elasticity by reducing inflammation, it says.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

At first, doctors were worried cabin pressure could cause a blood vessel to burst, but have now given Olivia clearance to fly home.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

Gene activity increased in areas tied to wound repair, including collagen production, blood vessel growth, tissue remodeling, and other processes needed to close and strengthen damaged skin.

From Science Daily ● May 20, 2026

Of course they could not know that my mother had died three months before, suddenly, when a blood vessel in her brain burst.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

Related Words

• artery
• capillary
• vein