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

All neurosurgeons receive comprehensive training in the large variety of neurosurgery including pediatric neurosurgery, tumors, spine, stroke and vascular neurosurgery, equipping them to handle the field’s diverse challenges. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Two of these organs — the vascular organ of lamina terminalis (OVLT) and the subfornical organ (SFO) — are sensory organs not unlike a nose or an ear. —Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025

There are far fewer caregivers and researchers tackling the headache conundrum than there are working on movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and vascular maladies such as stroke. —Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

The vascular system shunts more blood toward the skin, where it can be cooled by breeze or evaporating sweat. —Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 30 July 2025

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