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 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vasospasm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 5 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!