vein

1 of 2

noun

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)
(2)
: a bed of useful mineral matter
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 veinWilliam Shakespeare
veinal adjective

vein

2 of 2

verb

veined; veining; veins

transitive verb

: to pattern with or as if with veins

Examples of vein in a Sentence

Noun the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pages
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine has often depicted scenes not witnessed since World War II, with children loaded onto trains, veins of trenches scarring the eastern front and renewed concern over how the geopolitics of this conflict could ensnare the entire Western world. Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024 The catfight premise lies in the vein of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?: two lifelong frenemies discover the secret to eternal life, and then use it to tear each other literally to bits while fighting over a man. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Thoughtful use of natural materials throughout the suite, including rich woods (most notably the Sycamore used for radial marquetry panels), glass, travertine and richly veined Calacatta viola marble. Rima Suqi, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 The veining process of making her skin look translucent took up to two hours of airbrushing. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vein 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vein was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vein

Cite this Entry

“Vein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vein. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on vein

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