vasoconstrictor

American  

[vas-oh-kuhn-strik-ter, vey-zoh-] / ˌvæs oʊ kənˈstrɪk tər, ˌveɪ zoʊ- /

noun

Physiology, Pharmacology.

1. a nerve or drug that causes vasoconstriction.

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vasoconstrictor British  

/ ˌveɪzəʊkənˈstrɪktə /

noun

1. a drug, agent, or nerve that causes narrowing ( vasoconstriction ) of the walls of blood vessels

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adjective

1. causing vasoconstriction

Other Word Forms

• vasoconstrictive adjective

Etymology

Origin of vasoconstrictor

First recorded in 1875–80; vaso- + constrictor

Example Sentences

Caffeine has vasoconstrictor properties, meaning it causes blood vessels to squeeze together, which can briefly raise heart rate.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2022

ADH also acts as a vasoconstrictor and increases blood pressure during hemorrhaging.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Angiotensin II is a systemic vasoconstrictor that helps to regulate blood pressure by increasing it.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Additional renin increases production of the powerful vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. Angiotensin II, as discussed above, will also stimulate aldosterone production to augment blood volume through retention of more Na+ and water.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The smaller arteries all over the body are supplied with vasoconstrictor and vasodilator nerve fibers from the sympathetic nervous system.

From Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension: with Chapters on Blood Pressure, 3rd Edition. by Warfield, Louis Marshall