vein

noun \ ˈvān \

Definition of vein

1 :blood vessel; especially :any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart

2 a :any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf

b :any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect

3 a :a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice

b (1) :lode 2

(2) :a bed of useful mineral matter

c :lode 3

4 :something suggesting veins (as in reticulation); specifically :a wavy variegation (as in marble)

5 a :a distinctive mode of expression :style

stories in a romantic vein

b :a distinctive element or quality :strain

introduced a welcome vein of humor

c :a line of thought or action

6 a :a special aptitude

inherited an artistic vein

b :a usually transitory and casually attained mood

c :top form

thou troublest me; I am not in the vein
—William Shakespeare

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veinal

play \ˈvā-nᵊl\ adjective

See vein defined for English-language learners

See vein defined for kids

Examples of vein in a Sentence

the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pages

Recent Examples of vein from the Web

In a similar vein, the economists Ping Xu, James C. Garand, and Ling Xu argue that prioritizing high-skilled immigrants would tend to lower income inequality.

— reihan salam, National Review, "The Case for Skills-Based Immigration," 28 Aug. 2017
The Brook & The Bluff is a four-man band that seems to have rhythm and blues running through their veins.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Birmingham suburb natives form band specializing in harmonizing," 25 Aug. 2017
The convincing facts are that the veins remain green the longest and that the older leaves remain green.

— neil sperry, star-telegram, "‘Reading’ your leaves means something quite different in the garden," 16 Aug. 2017
Scaramucci appears to be a commentator in the same vein as Kellyanne Conway—a polished representative for the president who can combat facts with word salad and accusations of bias in the media.

— peter wade, Esquire, "Anthony Scaramucci Has an Anonymous Source on Russia (It's President Trump)," 23 July 2017
In the vein of its title, this one will stay with you long after the credits roll.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 28 Best Halloween Films on Netflix," 21 July 2017
In that same vein, MTV in May awarded its a gender-neutral award for best actor.

— claire zillman, Fortune, "Why You’ll No Longer Hear ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ on the London Tube," 14 July 2017
In the same vein, good soil practices are not an organic requirement, either.

— adrian white, Fox News, "Can you still trust the USDA Certified Organic label?," 5 July 2017
Chrissy is a trend-setter in the vein of Regina George, but without the sociopathic tendencies.

— laura beck, Cosmopolitan, "Chrissy Teigen Now Has Strawberry Blonde Hair," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vein.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vein

Middle English veyne, borrowed from Anglo-French veine, going back to Latin vēna "blood vessel, channel," of obscure origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

vein Synonyms

Synonyms

fashion, locution, manner, mode, phraseology, tone, style

Related Words

address, delivery, elocution; archaism, colloquialism, regionalism; acceptation, connotation, denotation, expression, idiom

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

vein

verb

Definition of vein

transitive verb

:to pattern with or as if with veins

Recent Examples of vein from the Web

Meanwhile, more expensive cars — like the Camaro’s sibling, the Corvette — are veined with carbon fiber.

— david ingold, The Seattle Times, "Innovations make America’s cars faster yet more efficient," 21 May 2017
The tulip's satin petals, veined deep red on red, respond to the light.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Poems 'Forged By Joy' From Laura Mazza-Dixon," 10 May 2017
His hair is a shiny silver white, his hands veined and weathered.

— michael callahan, Vanities, "The Man Behind History’s Most Iconic Movie Posters, From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to James Bond," 19 Apr. 2017
His hair is a shiny silver white, his hands veined and weathered.

— michael callahan, vanityfair.com, "The Man Behind History’s Most Iconic Movie Posters, From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to James Bond," 3 Apr. 2017

Origin and Etymology of vein

verbal derivative of ¹vein

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1502

See Words from the same year

VEIN Defined for English Language Learners

vein

noun

Definition of vein for English Language Learners

: any one of the tubes that carry blood from parts of the body back to the heart
: any one of the thin lines that can be seen on the surface of a leaf or on the wing of an insect
: a long, narrow opening in rock filled with gold, silver, etc.

VEIN Defined for Kids

vein

noun \ ˈvān \

Definition of vein for Students

1 :one of the blood vessels that carry the blood back to the heart

2 :a long narrow opening in rock filled with a specific mineral

a vein of gold

3 :a streak of different color or texture (as in marble)

4 :a style of expression

I continued in a more serious vein.
—Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted

5 :one of the bundles of fine tubes that make up the framework of a leaf and carry food, water, and nutrients in the plant

6 :one of the slender parts that stiffen and support the wing of an insect

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veined

\ˈvānd\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

vein

noun \ ˈvān \

medical Definition of vein

:any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart and have thinner walls than the arteries and often valves at intervals to prevent reflux of the blood which flows in a steady stream and is in most cases dark-colored due to the presence of reduced hemoglobin