vasodilation

American  

[vay-zoh-dahy-lay-shuhn, va-soh-dahy-lay-shuhn] / ˌveɪ zoʊˌdaɪˈleɪ ʃən, ˌvæ soʊˌdaɪˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. Also, vasodilatation. enlargement or widening of the blood vessels, such as by the action of a nerve or as part of a surgical procedure.

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vasodilation Scientific  

/ vā′zō-dī-lā′shən,-dĭ- /

1. Dilation of a blood vessel, as by the action of a nerve or drug.

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Example Sentences

As calcium levels fall, the smooth muscles in blood vessel walls relax, causing vasodilation and a drop in blood pressure.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2025

The bags under your eyes might not be the result of an acute physical injury like a bruised shin, but they, too, are the result of vasodilation and swelling.

From National Geographic • Feb. 21, 2024

“The combination together . . . it’s like about 30 minutes plus of just vasodilation, a bear’s chasing you, you’re deer in headlights.”

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2024

But this group also provides important benefits in keeping your blood vessels healthy, by promoting something called "vasodilation."

From Salon • Nov. 28, 2022

In diseases of the heart the sudden vasodilation caused by amyl nitrite inhalations is indicated only in angina pectoris.

From Disturbances of the Heart by Osborne, Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas)