dilated

adjective

di·​lat·​ed ˈdī-ˌlā-təd How to pronounce dilated (audio)
dī-ˈlā-
1
: marked by expansion or widening : subject to dilation
Some insist that the need to learn is likely to be at the core of our dilated childhood.Natalie Angier
specifically : expanded, enlarged, or widened normally or abnormally in all dimensions
dilated pupils
a dilated artery/cervix
Abdominal roentgenograms taken when the patient was upright showed a massively dilated stomach. Yogesh K. Gupta
2
: expanded laterally
especially : being flat and widened
dilated leaves
The flower corolla consists of only the upper dilated petal called the standard, or banner. Sylvan T. Runkel and Dean M. Roose
3
: caused by dilatation (see dilatation sense 1a)
dilated cardiomyopathy

Examples of dilated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The injection comes with a side effect, though: Most patients will experience a droopy eyelid, dilated pupil and some vision loss for about 10 minutes, but the symptoms resolve quickly. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023 Often by the time a patient sees a doctor, that person has already developed serious complications, including heart rhythm abnormalities or a dilated heart that doesn’t pump blood well. Paula Andalo | Kff Health News, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2023 Delta 8 has been shown to slightly increase blood flow, which can result in dilated blood vessels in the eyes. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023 Diagnosis and Treatment Diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed with a dilated fundus (retinal) exam. Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 July 2023 Symptoms would have started more mildly with dilated pupils, dry skin and a racing heart. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023 At his desk, Pynchon is processing it all, absorbing it—like Emerson’s transparent eyeball, but hyper-dilated and a bit bleary from too much Panama Red. John Semley, WIRED, 16 Feb. 2023 This dietary supplement is an antioxidant amino acid that helps increase the generation of nitric oxide, which can support healthy and dilated blood vessels. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2023 Her cognitive load and heart rate slowed, and her pupils became less dilated, all signs of relaxation. New York Times, 26 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dilated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dilated was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dilated

Cite this Entry

“Dilated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilated. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

dilated

adjective
di·​lat·​ed dī-ˈlā-təd How to pronounce dilated (audio)
ˈdī-ˌ
1
: expanded, enlarged, or widened normally or abnormally in all dimensions
dilated pupils
a dilated artery/cervix
2
: caused by dilation
dilated cardiomyopathy
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