capillary

1 of 2

adjective

cap·​il·​lary ˈka-pə-ˌler-ē 

-ˌle-rē,

 British usually  kə-ˈpi-lə-rē

1

a

: resembling a hair especially in slender elongated form

capillary leaves

b

: having a very small bore

a capillary tube

2

: involving, held by, or resulting from surface tension

capillary water in the soil

3

: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity

capillary

2 of 2

noun

plural capillaries

1

: a minute thin-walled vessel of the body

especially : any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body

2

: a tube (as of glass) having a very small bore

Examples of capillary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

It is reported that even one replacement dose of vitamin C can stop gastrointestinal bleeding, and capillary stability is established within 24 hours. —New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024

The channels, meanwhile, carried moisture out from under the patch by capillary action, helping the underlying skin to breathe. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2024

Noun

The molecules squeezed into the man’s capillaries and were swept deeper in. —Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024

The machine gently emits laser energy to warm up the upper dermis and boost collagen production, while also soothing facial redness by targeting capillaries. —Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Latin; French capillaire, from Latin capillaris, from capillus hair

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capillary

• capillary attraction
• capillary electrophoresis

Kids Definition

capillary

1 of 2 adjective

cap·​il·​lary ˈkap-ə-ˌler-ē 

1

: having a long slender form and a very small inner diameter

a capillary tube

2

: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity

capillary

2 of 2 noun

plural capillaries

: a capillary tube

especially : any of the tiny blood vessels connecting the small arteries and veins

Medical Definition

capillary

1 of 2 adjective

cap·​il·​lary

ˈkap-ə-ˌler-ē, British usually kə-ˈpil-ə-rē

1

a

: resembling a hair especially in slender elongated form

b

: having a very small bore

a capillary tube

2

: involving, held by, or resulting from surface tension

3

: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity

capillary

2 of 2 noun

plural capillaries

1

: a minute thin-walled vessel of the body

especially : any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body

2

: a capillary tube