vein
noun
\ ˈvān
\
\
Definition of vein
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: blood vessel
especially
: any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart
2a
: 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
3a
: 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)
5a
: 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
6a
: 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
vein
verb
veined;
veining;
veins
Definition of vein (Entry 2 of 2)
: to pattern with or as if with veins
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Other Words from vein
Noun
veinal
\ ˈvā-nᵊl
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for vein
Synonyms: Noun
fashion, locution, manner, mode, phraseology, style, tone
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Examples of vein in a Sentence
Noun
the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pagesRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
For context, other photo apps in this vein like Ever have been used to train the company’s facial recognition technology in the past. — Ashley Hoffman, Time, "The FaceApp Challenge Is Getting Everyone to Age 50 Years Overnight," 17 July 2019 The 1967 Outer Space Treaty was an early effort in this vein. — Sigal Samuel, Vox, "If aliens call, what should we do? Scientists want your opinion.," 6 July 2019 Starting to feel that motivation zipping through your veins? — Allure, "All the Last Chance Deals to Shop in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale," 2 Aug. 2019 As the introductions began Wednesday, Ballmer sat on stage, energy flowing through his veins. — Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Steve Ballmer’s energy takes center stage at Leonard and George introduction," 24 July 2019 Ehlinger has the city of Austin and the state’s flagship university coursing through his veins. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Sam is the Man, but Ehlinger can’t do it all for Texas," 16 July 2019 Whether Madi had chemo coursing through her veins or was hanging onto life in the intensive care unit — Woodburn never saw her without a smile on her face and an air of gratitude. — Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star, "Teen volleyball player who revealed Indianapolis Colts draft picks dies," 15 July 2019 His hands-on approach to training ensured tactical familiarity was embedded within their minds, with his determination and indomitable spirit pulsing through their veins. — SI.com, "Arsene Wenger: A Pioneering Visionary Who Became Invincible at Arsenal," 8 July 2019 Winning difficult games is embedded in the Warriors’ muscle memory, pulsing through their collective veins. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors need another visit from Elimination Game Klay Thompson," 9 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The border region of Lombardy adopted blue-veined cheese over mozzarella, and substituted rice for the ubiquitous Italian pasta. — Jim Kempton, Orange County Register, "Follow the French: A look at the French influence on cuisine around the world," 2 Aug. 2019 Kayak through the General Carrera Lake’s Marble Chapels, a network of glacial caves veined with blue striations carved from calcium carbonate by over 6,000 years of water pressure. — National Geographic, "Take the perfect road trip at the bottom of the world," 5 July 2019 Taking 579 years and at least 78 chief architects to complete, the cathedral is one of the jewels of Europe; a canal network was created just to transport slabs of its pink-veined marble from Lake Maggiore 50 miles away. — Michael J. Bailey, BostonGlobe.com, "In Milan, a low-tech saunter through a mecca of high fashion," 18 June 2019 The charge of corruption veined every criticism, including the groundless one that Adams was filling the executive mansion with frivolous luxuries purchased at the public’s expense. — David S. Heidler And Jeanne T. Heidler, WSJ, "Midterms Have Been Punishing Incumbents Since 1826," 25 Oct. 2018 Subtle tone-on-tone veining adds depth to this Corian palette of soothing neutrals: Camel, Ecru, Cirrus White, and Natural Gray. — Rebecca Winzenried, ELLE Decor, "Home Magazine's 5th Annual Kitchen & Bath Awards 2003," 5 July 2012 Computer models predict more than 3 feet of rain in the eastern part of the state, a fertile low-lying plain veined by brackish rivers with a propensity for escaping their banks. — Michael Biesecker, The Seattle Times, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 11 Sep. 2018 Computer models predict more than 3 feet of rain in the eastern part of the state, a fertile low-lying plain veined by brackish rivers with a propensity for escaping their banks. — Michael Biesecker, The Seattle Times, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 11 Sep. 2018 Computer models predict more than 3 feet of rain in the eastern part of the state, a fertile low-lying plain veined by brackish rivers with a propensity for escaping their banks. — Michael Biesecker, The Seattle Times, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 11 Sep. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vein.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for vein
vein
noun
English Language Learners Definition of vein
: any one of the tubes that carry blood from parts of the body back to the heart
: any one of the thin lines that can be seen on the surface of a leaf or on the wing of an insect
: a long, narrow opening in rock filled with gold, silver, etc.
See the full definition for vein in the English Language Learners Dictionary