vascular

adjective

vas·​cu·​lar ˈva-skyə-lər 

: of, relating to, or affecting a channel for the conveyance of a body fluid (such as blood of an animal or sap of a plant) or a system of such channels

vascular cells

vascular diseases

a vascular surgeon

also : supplied with or made up of such channels and especially blood vessels

a vascular tumor

a vascular system

Examples of vascular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vascular neurologist treated her with thrombolysis, a medicine used to dissolve blood clots. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Those who were classified as heavy drinkers had a 133% greater risk of having vascular brain lesions (abnormalities in the brain's blood vessels) compared to people who never drank. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The new study covered all surgery specialties — including orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, and obstetrics — and followed patients’ outcomes at 30 days, 90 days and one year. —Dylan Scott, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025

In living organisms, this problem is solved by the vascular network. —Ars Technica, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin vāsculāris, from Latin vāsculum "small vessel" (from vās "container" + -culum, diminutive suffix) + -āris -ar — more at vas

First Known Use

circa 1673, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vascular

• vascular bundle
• vascular cylinder
• vascular plant
• vascular ray
• vascular tissue
• water-vascular system

Rhymes for vascular

• avascular
• cardiovascular
• cerebrovascular
• extravascular
• intravascular
• microvascular
• neurovascular
• perivascular
• renovascular

Kids Definition

vascular

adjective

vas·​cu·​lar ˈvas-kyə-lər 

: of or relating to a tube or channel for carrying a body fluid (as blood of an animal or sap of a plant) or to a system of such channels or tubes

also : supplied with or made up of such channels or tubes

a vascular system

vascular tissue

Medical Definition

vascular

adjective

vas·​cu·​lar ˈvas-kyə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, constituting, or affecting a tube or a system of tubes for the conveyance of a body fluid (as blood or lymph)

vascular disease

vascular surgical techniques

2

: supplied with or containing ducts and especially blood vessels

a vascular tumor

the vascular layer of the skin