capillary

1 of 2

adjective

cap·​il·​lary ˈka-pə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce capillary (audio)
-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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
It is reported that even one replacement dose of vitamin C can stop gastrointestinal bleeding, and capillary stability is established within 24 hours. New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024 The channels, meanwhile, carried moisture out from under the patch by capillary action, helping the underlying skin to breathe. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2024
Noun
The machine gently emits laser energy to warm up the upper dermis and boost collagen production, while also soothing facial redness by targeting capillaries. Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024 The helmet works by applying a small compressive force across the entire surface of the scalp, causing the tiny capillaries around the hair follicle to collapse. Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for capillary 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of capillary was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near capillary

Cite this Entry

“Capillary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capillary. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

capillary

1 of 2 adjective
cap·​il·​lary ˈkap-ə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce capillary (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on capillary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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