cap·il·lary
ˈka-pə-ˌler-ē 
-ˌle-rē,
British usually kə-ˈpi-lə-rē
1
a
: resembling a hair especially in slender elongated form
capillary leaves
b
: having a very small bore
a capillary tube
2
: involving, held by, or resulting from surface tension
capillary water in the soil
3
: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity
plural capillaries
1
: a minute thin-walled vessel of the body
especially
: any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body
2
: a tube (as of glass) having a very small bore
Examples of capillary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024
The channels, meanwhile, carried moisture out from under the patch by capillary action, helping the underlying skin to breathe.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2024
Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
The machine gently emits laser energy to warm up the upper dermis and boost collagen production, while also soothing facial redness by targeting capillaries.
—Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for capillary 
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Adjective
It is reported that even one replacement dose of vitamin C can stop gastrointestinal bleeding, and capillary stability is established within 24 hours.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2024
The channels, meanwhile, carried moisture out from under the patch by capillary action, helping the underlying skin to breathe.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2024
Noun
The molecules squeezed into the man’s capillaries and were swept deeper in.
—Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
The machine gently emits laser energy to warm up the upper dermis and boost collagen production, while also soothing facial redness by targeting capillaries.
—Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for capillary
Dictionary Entries Near capillary
Cite this Entry
“Capillary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capillary. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
capillary
1 of 2 adjective
cap·il·lary
ˈkap-ə-ˌler-ē
1
: having a long slender form and a very small inner diameter
a capillary tube
2
: of or relating to capillaries or capillarity
capillary
2 of 2 noun
plural capillaries
: a capillary tube
especially
: any of the tiny blood vessels connecting the small arteries and veins
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