capillary

1 of 2

adjective

cap·​il·​lary ˈka-pə-ˌler-ē 

-ˌle-rē,

 British usually  kə-ˈpi-lə-rē

1

a

: resembling a hair especially in slender elongated form

capillary leaves

b

: having a very small bore

a capillary tube

2

: involving, held by, or resulting from surface tension

capillary water in the soil

3

: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity

capillary

2 of 2

noun

plural capillaries

1

: a minute thin-walled vessel of the body

especially : any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body

2

: a tube (as of glass) having a very small bore

Examples of capillary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This vast, baffling capillary system did not appear on any map; the bayous and ponds probed by the airboat might have been dry land as recently as last summer, and farmland two decades ago. —Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

The formula includes rose, green tea, licorice, and chamomile—ingredients that support capillary health and promote skin repair, resulting in a more balanced complexion. —Maya Gandara, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 2025

Noun

Drinking alcohol also weakens collagen and elastin (the stuff that keeps skin bouncy and firm) and can contribute to volume loss and broken capillaries—the tiny red veins that pop up around the nose and cheeks. —Donna Francis, Allure, 25 Aug. 2025

The breakthrough, led by UQ’s Frazer Institute, used stem cells to create a replica of human skin that included blood vessels, capillaries, hair follicles, multiple layers of tissue, and immune cells. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Latin; French capillaire, from Latin capillaris, from capillus hair

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capillary

• capillary attraction
• capillary electrophoresis

Rhymes for capillary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• catenary
• cautionary
• cemetery

Kids Definition

capillary

1 of 2 adjective

cap·​il·​lary ˈkap-ə-ˌler-ē 

1

: having a long slender form and a very small inner diameter

a capillary tube

2

: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity

capillary

2 of 2 noun

plural capillaries

: a capillary tube

especially : any of the tiny blood vessels connecting the small arteries and veins

Medical Definition

capillary

1 of 2 adjective

cap·​il·​lary

ˈkap-ə-ˌler-ē, British usually kə-ˈpil-ə-rē

1

a

: resembling a hair especially in slender elongated form

b

: having a very small bore

a capillary tube

2

: involving, held by, or resulting from surface tension

3

: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity

capillary

2 of 2 noun

plural capillaries

1

: a minute thin-walled vessel of the body

especially : any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body

2

: a capillary tube