artery
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for artery, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use artery
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French artaire, from Latin arteria, from Greek arteria, originally meaning "windpipe" as well as "artery."
Full origin of artery →Frequently asked questions
What does “artery” mean?
The word “artery” means a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. In plain terms, a major blood vessel — or, by comparison, a main route that carries heavy traffic or transport.
How do you pronounce “artery”?
“Artery” is pronounced AH-tuh-ree (/ˈɑɹ.təɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “artery” in a sentence?
Here is “artery” used in a sentence: “A blocked artery can lead to a heart attack.”
What is another word for “artery”?
Words with a similar meaning to “artery” include arteria.
What part of speech is “artery”?
“Artery” is a noun.
Where does the word “artery” come from?
The word “artery” comes from Latin. From Old French artaire, from Latin arteria, from Greek arteria, originally meaning "windpipe" as well as "artery.".
Is “artery” a common word?
“Artery” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “artery” have?
“Artery” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
What is the difference between an artery and a vein?
An artery carries blood away from the heart, while a vein carries blood back toward it. This directional difference is the key distinction between the two types of blood vessels.
Why is a busy road sometimes called an artery?
A busy road or rail line can be called an artery because, like a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart, it carries a large volume of traffic along a major route. The term is used figuratively to describe transportation routes that are central to the flow of a city or region.
What is a main artery in a city?
A main artery in a city refers to a major route, such as a busy road or rail line, that carries a large amount of traffic. It is a figurative use of the term based on the blood vessel meaning.