jugular vein

noun

: any of several veins of each side of the neck that return blood from the head

Examples of jugular vein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One wound was four inches deep and severed her carotid artery and jugular vein. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2025 The Quran says that God is closer to a man than his jugular vein. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 Inserted through the internal jugular vein, this tube acted as the primary drain. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 Jan. 2026 It’s also used to monitor the jugular vein, which is prone to clots due to microgravity, as well as other bodily systems. — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jugular vein

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jugular vein was in 1597

Rhymes for jugular vein

See All Rhymes for jugular vein

Browse Nearby Words

Jugulares
jugular vein
jugulate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jugular vein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jugular%20vein. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

jugular vein

noun
: any of several veins on each side of the neck that return blood from the head

called also jugular

Medical Definition

jugular vein

noun
: any of several veins of each side of the neck: as
a
: a vein that collects the blood from the interior of the cranium, the superficial part of the face, and the neck, runs down the neck on the outside of the internal and common carotid arteries, and unites with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein

called also internal jugular vein

b
: a smaller and more superficial vein that collects most of the blood from the exterior of the cranium and deep parts of the face and opens into the subclavian vein

called also external jugular vein

c
: a vein that commences near the hyoid bone and joins the terminal part of the external jugular vein or the subclavian vein

called also anterior jugular vein

More from Merriam-Webster on jugular vein

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jugular vein

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