artery

word

/ˈɑɹtɝi/
AR-tuh-ree
/ˈɑːtəɹi/
AH-tuh-ree

Definition

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to different parts of the body. The word can also refer to a main road or route that is very important for transportation.

Usage & Nuances

Used in both medical and general contexts; in medicine, it's always about blood vessels, while in general English, 'artery' can metaphorically mean a major road or route ('main artery of the city'). Distinct from 'vein', which carries blood to the heart.

Example Sentences

The highway acts as a major artery connecting the suburbs to downtown.

natural

The doctor explained that an artery carries blood away from the heart.

basic

The largest artery in the body is the aorta.

basic

A blocked artery can cause serious health problems.

basic

Main Street is the city's main artery for traffic.

natural

He needed surgery to clear a blocked artery.

natural