vasoconstrictor

American  

[vas-oh-kuhn-strik-ter, vey-zoh-] / ˌvæs oʊ kənˈstrɪk tər, ˌveɪ zoʊ- /

noun

Physiology, Pharmacology.

1. a nerve or drug that causes vasoconstriction.

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vasoconstrictor British  

/ ˌveɪzəʊkənˈstrɪktə /

noun

1. a drug, agent, or nerve that causes narrowing ( vasoconstriction ) of the walls of blood vessels

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adjective

1. causing vasoconstriction

Other Word Forms

• vasoconstrictive adjective

Etymology

Origin of vasoconstrictor

First recorded in 1875–80; vaso- + constrictor

Example Sentences

Caffeine has vasoconstrictor properties, meaning it causes blood vessels to squeeze together, which can briefly raise heart rate.

From Salon

Slowly, Zuñiga’s numbers began to recover as the ventilator and vasoconstrictors did their work.

From Los Angeles Times

Afrin is basically neosynephrine, a potent vasoconstrictor, and would be ideal to put on a tissue stuffed deeply in the nose.

From New York Times

The first such drugs, called ergotamines, were powerful vasoconstrictors derived from the ergot fungus, which grows on rye and other grains and led to mass poisonings in the Middle Ages.

From Science Magazine

Even without the combustion, nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that narrows blood vessels and drives up blood pressure.

From BusinessWeek