stent

American  

[stent] / stɛnt /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a small, expandable tube used for inserting in a blocked vessel or other part.

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stent British  

/ stɛnt /

noun

1. med a tube of plastic or sprung metal mesh placed inside a hollow tube to reopen it or keep it open; uses in surgery include preventing a blood vessel from closing, esp after angioplasty, and assisting healing after an anastomosis

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Etymology

Origin of stent

First recorded in 1960–65; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Pasadena Humane veterinarians placed a stent in one of Peanut’s nostrils to keep the skin from closing over as the wound healed, according to Holeman.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

I’ve got a heart stent and an artificial hip.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

During the trial, patients who take part will be randomly allocated either the conventional stent or the dye-based technique.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2025

A stent was inserted during the surgery, the campaign said.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2024

There, Bhalla performed angioplasty and implanted a stent.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times