vein

1 of 2

noun

ˈvān 

1

: blood vessel

especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart

2

a

: any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf

b

: any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect

3

a

: a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice

b(1)

: lode sense 2

(2)

: a bed of useful mineral matter

c

: lode sense 3

4

: something suggesting veins (as in reticulation)

specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble)

5

a

: a distinctive mode of expression : style

stories in a romantic vein

b

: a distinctive element or quality : strain

introduced a welcome vein of humor

c

: a line of thought or action

6

a

: a special aptitude

inherited an artistic vein

b

: a usually transitory and casually attained mood

c

: top form

thou troublest me; I am not in the vein

—William Shakespeare

veinal

ˈvā-nᵊl 

adjective

vein

2 of 2

verb

veined; veining; veins

transitive verb

: to pattern with or as if with veins

Synonyms

Noun

• fashion
• locution
• manner
• mode
• phraseology
• style
• tone

Examples of vein in a Sentence

Noun

the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pages

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the same vein, if remodeling or updating your home, ensure any new additions are consistent with the existing elements. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024

This follows in the vein of the Finnish word, sisu. —Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Thoughtful use of natural materials throughout the suite, including rich woods (most notably the Sycamore used for radial marquetry panels), glass, travertine and richly veined Calacatta viola marble. —Rima Suqi, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

The veining process of making her skin look translucent took up to two hours of airbrushing. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English veyne, borrowed from Anglo-French veine, going back to Latin vēna "blood vessel, channel," of obscure origin

Verb

verbal derivative of vein entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

1502, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vein

• brachiocephalic vein
• coronary vein
• innominate vein
• jugular vein
• milk vein
• portal vein
• pulmonary vein
• spider vein
• subclavian vein
• varicose vein

Kids Definition

vein

noun

ˈvān

1

: a long narrow opening in rock filled with mineral matter

a vein of gold

2

a

: one of the blood vessels that carry blood from the capillaries back to the heart

b

: one of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf

c

: one of the thickened ribs that stiffen the wings of an insect

3

: a wavy band or streak (as of a different color or texture)

a marble with greenish veins

4

: a style of expression

stories in a romantic vein

Medical Definition

vein

noun

ˈvān 

: any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart and have thinner walls than the arteries and often valves at intervals to prevent reflux of the blood which flows in a steady stream and is in most cases dark-colored due to the presence of reduced hemoglobin