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

Think of it as something like the systemic equivalent of HDL cholesterol for the vascular system—a reading that indicates general health and creates a chance to intervene, at minimum, through lifestyle changes. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026

None of the participants had signs of vascular cognitive impairment, a condition linked to strokes and small-vessel disease. — Lily Alvino, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

But Coresh’s new study of more than 12,400 adults quantified how much the combination of these vascular measures in middle age may have influenced when dementia began to set in. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026

Sustained high pressure damages the small blood vessels that feed it, and that vascular damage creates an environment where neurodegeneration can take hold. — Sue Peschin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

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