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

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

The ebb and flow of blood through capillary vessels changes the amount of light reflected from the skin. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025

Noun

New capillaries sprout to shuttle that blood to your muscles, which also grow tiny energy factories called mitochondria to power your efforts. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025

In cold weather, lips can appear blue because capillaries constrict, blood loses oxygen and changes to a darker color. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 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