1. a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to other parts of the body
Usage: anatomy
2. a main route or channel of transportation or communication
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The coronary artery supplies blood to the heart muscle.
• A blocked artery can cause a heart attack.
• The surgeon performed bypass surgery on the patient’s clogged artery.
• Interstate 95 is a major artery along the East Coast.
• The main artery through downtown was closed for construction.
• This highway serves as the commercial artery for the region.