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vasodilator

American  
[vas-oh-dahy-ley-ter, -di-, -dahy-ley-, vey-zoh-] / ˌvæs oʊ daɪˈleɪ tər, -dɪ-, -ˈdaɪ leɪ-, ˌveɪ zoʊ- /

noun

Physiology, Pharmacology.
  1. a nerve or drug that causes vasodilatation.


vasodilator British  
/ ˌveɪzəʊdaɪˈleɪtə /

noun

  1. a drug, agent, or nerve that can cause dilatation ( vasodilatation ) of the walls of blood vessels

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. causing vasodilatation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of vasodilator

First recorded in 1880–85; vaso- + dilator

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.

Although there are no approved medications for Raynaud’s, doctors sometimes prescribe drugs used for other conditions, such as vasodilators, which improve circulation by opening blood vessels.

From Washington Post

For instance, the immune system releases a molecule after a vaccination known as a vasodilator, which inflates local blood vessels and can cause swelling and redness near the injection site.

From Salon

Like CGRP, it is a vasodilator found in the trigeminal nerve.

From Nature

The authors’ findings therefore suggested that another vasodilator was being formed.

From Nature

Improve your sleep by regulating your body temperature and aid blood flow, thanks to the vasodilator effect that expands your blood vessels.

From Salon