vein

1 of 2

noun

ˈvān 

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 sense 2

(2)

: a bed of useful mineral matter

c

: lode sense 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

veinal

ˈvā-nᵊl 

adjective

vein

2 of 2

verb

veined; veining; veins

transitive verb

: to pattern with or as if with veins

Synonyms

Noun

• manner
• tone
• mode
• style

Examples of vein in a Sentence

Noun

the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pages

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Australia’s arid center, those blotches represent a new inland sea, born from a deluge that has traveled hundreds of miles through the veins of a giant, parched continent. —Angus Watson, CNN Money, 25 June 2025

In the vein of Jim Ford and Tony Joe White, East’s voice is fully formed here, twining country rootstock with soul and gospel so tightly that the traditions feel inseparable, and rightly so. —Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025

Verb

There’s much talk about unicorns in the dating field in Song’s script, and her film could be called the same — a glossy, good-looking drama veined with humor, introspection and questioning intelligence, driven as much by insightful writing as star charisma. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

Another idea is to find color inspiration from other elements in the room, like specs and veining in countertops or an accent paint color. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

verbal derivative of vein entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

1502, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vein

• brachiocephalic vein
• coronary vein
• innominate vein
• jugular vein
• milk vein
• portal vein
• pulmonary vein
• spider vein
• subclavian vein
• varicose vein

Rhymes for vein

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

vein

noun

ˈvān

1

: a long narrow opening in rock filled with mineral matter

a vein of gold

2

a

: one of the blood vessels that carry blood from the capillaries back to the heart

b

: one of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf

c

: one of the thickened ribs that stiffen the wings of an insect

3

: a wavy band or streak (as of a different color or texture)

a marble with greenish veins

4

: a style of expression

stories in a romantic vein

Medical Definition

vein

noun

ˈvān 

: 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