Veins: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to refer to the large blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Often mentioned in medical contexts, discussions about anatomy, or health issues.

• The nurse had trouble finding a vein for the IV.
• He had prominent veins on his arms.

A general term that includes arteries, veins, and capillaries. It's used when talking broadly about the circulatory system without specifying the type of vessel.

• Blood vessels become more elastic with regular exercise.
• Damage to blood vessels can lead to serious health conditions.

Refers to the tiny blood vessels that connect arteries to veins and facilitate the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients between blood and tissues. Often used in scientific or health-related discussions.

• Capillaries are so small that red blood cells can only pass through them single file.
• Capillaries play a crucial role in the body's ability to deliver oxygen to tissues.

Geology or biology context, referring to narrow, sheet-like intrusions within rock, often filled with minerals, or the blood vessels in plants and animals.

• The gold was found in the veins of quartz
• Human veins carry blood back to the heart

General and broader context, refers to accumulations of minerals in the earth, often mined for extraction.

• The region is known for its extensive mineral deposits
• Scientists are studying how mineral deposits form in marine environments

Mainly in mining and geology contexts, indicating a major large deposit of minerals embedded in rock.

• They discovered a rich lode of copper in the mountains
• The miner spent years searching for the jack-pot lode