Definition of vein
1 : blood vessel; especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart
2a : any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leafb : any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect
3a : a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in iceb (1) : lode 2 (2) : a bed of useful mineral matterc : lode 3
4 : something suggesting veins (as in reticulation); specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble)
5a : a distinctive mode of expression : style stories in a romantic veinb : a distinctive element or quality : strain introduced a welcome vein of humorc : a line of thought or action
6a : a special aptitude inherited an artistic veinb : a usually transitory and casually attained moodc : top form thou troublest me; I am not in the vein — William Shakespeare
Explore M-W
Examples of vein in a Sentence
the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pages
Origin and Etymology of vein
Middle English veyne, borrowed from Anglo-French veine, going back to Latin vēna “blood vessel, channel,” of obscure origin
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anatomy Terms
Origin and Etymology of vein
verbal derivative of 1vein
First Known Use: 1502
VEIN Defined for English Language Learners
vein
playDefinition 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
playDefinition 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
veined
\ˈvānd\ adjectiveMedical Dictionary
vein
playMedical 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
Illustration of vein
Learn More about vein
-
See words that rhyme with vein Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vein Spanish Central: Translation of vein Nglish: Translation of vein for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vein for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vein
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up vein? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!