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.

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vasodilator British  

/ ˌveɪzəʊdaɪˈleɪtə /

noun

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

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adjective

1. causing vasodilatation

Etymology

Origin of vasodilator

First recorded in 1880–85; vaso- + dilator

Example Sentences

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 • Jul. 15, 2021

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

From Nature • Oct. 13, 2020

For years after her diagnosis, she walked around with a pump that constantly injected vasodilator medication into her veins, and continued to perform until she could no longer stand.

From Washington Post • Oct. 23, 2017

In response to injury, mast cells present in tissue degranulate, releasing the potent vasodilator histamine.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Therefore a subsecretion of the thyroid predisposes to arteriosclerosis, and increased secretion of the suprarenals predisposes to arteriosclerosis, the thyroid furnishing vasodilator substance and the suprarenals vasopressor substance to the blood.

From Disturbances of the Heart by Osborne, Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas)