vas
noun
a vessel or duct.
vas
1 American
[vas]
/ væs /
noun
Anatomy, Zoology, Botany.
vasa
plural
vas-
2
American
vas-
1
British
combining form
vas
2
British
/ væs /
noun
Usage
What does vas- mean? Vas- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “vessel,” typically referring to blood vessels, such as veins and arteries. It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy. In some instances, vas- specifically refers to the vas deferens, the duct that carries sperm to the penis. Vas- is a variant of vaso-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use vaso- article. Vas- comes from the Latin vās, meaning “vessel.” The Latin vās is also the source of the word vase, which is, after all, a type of vessel—often for flowers! And the diminutive form of vās is vāsculum, literally “little vessel”; it’s the source of the word vascular, commonly encountered in cardiovascular. Learn more about cardio- at our Words That Use cardio- and Words That Use cardi- articles.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vas
First recorded in 1645–55, vas is from the Latin word vās vessel
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.
It said that the growth of VAS had come while still preserving the company’s overall margins.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
Visa said that VAS revenue has been growing at more than 25% on a constant-currency basis and makes up around 30% of net revenue.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
To drive home that point, Visa has been highlighting revenue it generates from what it calls value-added services, or VAS.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
Some of Do’s colleagues on the board have also blasted VAS for the allegations detailed in the county’s lawsuit.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2024
“Federal investigators answered our call to investigate the potential criminal activities by VAS and their principals,” the statement read.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2024
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.
