arteriole

noun

ar·​te·​ri·​ole är-ˈtir-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce arteriole (audio)
: any of the small terminal twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries
arteriolar adjective

Examples of arteriole in a Sentence

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.
The aorta branches into several large and medium-sized arteries that further branch into smaller arterioles. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024 Arteries can be thought of as a system of pipes that branch into narrower blood vessels, called arterioles, until reaching capillaries, where oxygen exchange occurs. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French and New Latin; French artériole, borrowed from New Latin artēriola, from Latin artēria artery + -ola, diminutive suffix

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arteriole was in 1685

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Cite this Entry

“Arteriole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arteriole. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

arteriole

noun
ar·​te·​ri·​ole är-ˈtir-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce arteriole (audio)
: a very small artery connecting a larger artery to capillaries
arteriolar adjective

Medical Definition

arteriole

noun
ar·​te·​ri·​ole är-ˈtir-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce arteriole (audio)
: any of the small terminal twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries
arteriolar adjective

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