jugular

1 of 2

noun

jug·​u·​lar ˈjə-gyə-lər 

also

ˈjü- 

also

-g(ə-)lər 

1

: jugular vein

2

: the most vital or vulnerable part of something

showed an instinct for the jugular in competition

jugular

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to the throat or neck

2

: of or relating to the jugular vein

Synonyms

Noun

• Achilles' heel
• back
• chink
• soft spot
• underbelly

Examples of jugular in a Sentence

Noun

a sadistic training instructor who would seek out a recruit's jugular and then go for it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Almost straight from the restart, France pressured Argentina into a hurried clearance, and from there France went straight for the jugular. —Jonathan Clegg, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2022

Monica goes for the jugular, among other vulnerable body parts. —Charles McNultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022

Instead of trying to keep the drive alive, Oregon State went for the jugular, a long sideline pass to Anthony Gould some 40 yards downfield. —oregonlive, 6 Nov. 2022

People in Boston go at you, but in Philly go for the jugular. —Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin jugularis, from Latin jugulum collarbone, throat, from jugum yoke — more at yoke

First Known Use

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing jugular

• go for the jugular
• jugular vein

Kids Definition

jugular

adjective

jug·​u·​lar

ˈjəg-yə-lər

1

: of, relating to, or situated in or on the throat or neck

2

: of or relating to the jugular vein

Medical Definition

jugular

1 of 2 adjective

jug·​u·​lar

ˈjəg-yə-lər also ˈjüg- or -(ə-)lər

1

: of or relating to the throat or neck

2

: of or relating to the jugular vein

jugular pulsations

jugular

2 of 2 noun

: jugular vein