vasospasm

noun

va·​so·​spasm ˈvā-zō-ˌspa-zəm How to pronounce vasospasm (audio)
: sharp and often persistent contraction of a blood vessel reducing its lumen and blood flow
vasospastic adjective

Examples of vasospasm 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 deadly vasospasm was aborted. H Lee Kagan, Discover Magazine, 8 Oct. 2019 The two prevalent conditions with this issue are coronary microvascular disease and coronary vasospasm. Peggy McCarthy, Hartford Courant, 30 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

vaso- + spasm, probably after German Vasospasmus

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vasospasm was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near vasospasm

Cite this Entry

“Vasospasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vasospasm. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

vasospasm

noun
va·​so·​spasm ˈvā-zō-ˌspaz-əm How to pronounce vasospasm (audio)
: sharp and often persistent contraction of a blood vessel reducing its caliber and blood flow

More from Merriam-Webster on vasospasm

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!