vein
vayn
Vein (noun) means a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back toward the heart. Example: “The nurse found a vein in his arm to draw blood.”
noun
1
A blood vessel that carries blood from the body back toward the heart.
"The nurse found a vein in his arm to draw blood."
"Veins look bluish through the skin because of how light reflects off them."
"The doctor explained that a blocked vein in the leg can cause swelling and pain."
2
A thin streak of a different colour or texture running through a material, such as marble, wood, or cheese.
"The countertop had grey veins running through the white marble."
"You could see dark veins of ore running through the rock face."
"Thin blue veins ran through the cheese, giving it its sharp flavour."
3
A particular style, mood, or way of thinking that runs through something.
"The speech continued in a similar vein, praising teamwork throughout."
"His novels are all written in a darkly comic vein."
"Her later paintings continue in the same hopeful vein as her early work."
How to use vein
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tube blood flows through on its way back to the heart, or a streak/theme that runs through something else, by resemblance to that pattern.
Common mistake
Easily confused with "vain" (conceited, or futile) and "vane" (a weather vane) — all three sound identical.
Common pairings
a vein of humour
in a similar vein
burst a vein
veins of marble
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Word forms
- Plural
- veins
- Third person singular
- veins
- Past tense
- veined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse found a _____ in his arm to draw blood.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman veine, from Latin vēna ("blood vessel"). A doublet of vena, the anatomical term still used in Latin names for specific veins.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for vein
See all rhymes for vein →Frequently asked questions
What does “vein” mean?
The word “vein” means a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back toward the heart. In plain terms, the tube blood flows through on its way back to the heart, or a streak/theme that runs through something else, by resemblance to that pattern.
How do you pronounce “vein”?
“Vein” is pronounced vayn (/veɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “vein” in a sentence?
Here is “vein” used in a sentence: “The nurse found a vein in his arm to draw blood.”
What is another word for “vein”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vein” include vena.
What part of speech is “vein”?
“Vein” is a noun.
Where does the word “vein” come from?
The word “vein” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman veine, from Latin vēna ("blood vessel"). A doublet of vena, the anatomical term still used in Latin names for specific veins.
Is “vein” a common word?
“Vein” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “vein” have?
“Vein” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a blood vessel that carries blood from the body back toward the heart.
What is the difference between a vein and an artery?
A vein carries blood from the body back toward the heart, whereas an artery carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins generally carry deoxygenated blood, while arteries typically carry oxygenated blood, with the pulmonary vessels being a notable exception.
What does it mean to describe something as being in a certain vein?
This figurative use of vein describes a particular style, mood, or way of thinking that runs through something, such as a book written 'in a comic vein.' It draws on the idea of a vein as a distinct streak running through a larger whole.
What does vein mean when describing marble or wood?
In this sense, a vein is a thin streak of different colour or texture running through a material like marble, wood, or cheese, giving it a distinctive, often decorative pattern.
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