adjective
jugular
JUHG-yuul-uh
adjective
1
Relating to the neck or throat, especially the large jugular veins that carry blood from the head back to the heart.
"The paramedics checked for a jugular pulse to see if he was still alive."
"A jugular vein injury can cause dangerously fast blood loss."
How to Use Jugular
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes anything to do with the throat or neck, most often the jugular vein.
Memory tip
You will most often meet this word in the phrase "go for the jugular," meaning to attack someone's weakest, most vulnerable point.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
jugular vein
go for the jugular
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The paramedics checked for a _____ pulse to see if he was still alive.
Etymology
From Late Latin jugularis, from jugulum, meaning the throat or the hollow at the base of the neck — related to the idea of a "yoke" resting across that spot.