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

The doctors said her vascular disease has worsened since she was last checked in 2024 and recommended an eight-month treatment course . —Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

This can lead to loss of moisture within the plant's vascular system and cause sunburn on root vegetables like carrots and potatoes. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 May 2026

Headaches Some compounds in fish oil supplements might affect the vascular system, leading to headaches. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 1 May 2026

Bonaca suspects that the walking improvements seen in trial participants who took semaglutide were likely from anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the vascular endothelial muscles. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 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