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dilate

[dahy-leyt, dih-, dahy-leyt] / daɪˈleɪt, dɪ-, ˈdaɪ leɪt /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Atropine eye drops are typically used to dilate the pupil before eye exams.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 28, 2025

However, in their new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, the researchers reported that a person's pupils also dilate when they are concentrating on tasks.

From Science Daily Apr. 22, 2024

A typical remedy is to stretch or dilate the urethra, a minimally invasive procedure that is often performed with general anesthesia, Dr. Lepor said.

From New York Times Feb. 12, 2024

Although it is not an ordinary high blood pressure medicine, it can dilate blood vessels.

From Seattle Times Nov. 22, 2023

Doth the heart not dilate, the humors circulate?

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

It's a different sort of time and it moves, it dilates.

From Salon Feb. 6, 2024

Their study, published Dec. 5 in the journal Cell, focuses on nitric oxide, a compound that dilates blood vessels, improves memory, fights infection and stimulates the release of hormones, among other functions.

From Science Daily Dec. 8, 2023

Adenosine is a by-product of energy metabolism, but it also acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter—a chemical messenger that affects brain cells and dilates blood vessels.

From Scientific American Oct. 25, 2023

The drug also dilates the cervix and blocks the effects of progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy.

From Washington Post Aug. 8, 2022

At the edge of the rectangle, a thin slit of light dilates wider.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Macs Green, a previously "completely healthy baby" suffered two cardiac arrests and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy - which can lead to heart failure.

From BBC Aug. 22, 2026

And if the aorta is dilated a certain amount, patients often undergo an elective surgery to fix it.

From MarketWatch Jul. 13, 2026

The fetus’ head was pressed up against her dilated cervix, and a miscarriage was, according to her medical record, “inevitable.”

From Salon May 27, 2026

About 35 minutes in, Lamphere’s vitals started spiking; her heart rate quickened, she grew hot, her pupils dilated, she began grinding her teeth.

From Slate Jan. 30, 2026

His eyes are like black pools, the pupils dilated so that the blue irises have all but vanished.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Scholars and intellectuals dilating in their little books: None of that matters anymore.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 15, 2026

Erectile dysfunction drugs, which work by dilating blood vessels to allow more blood to flow through, were first developed to treat high blood pressure.

From Science Daily Feb. 7, 2024

The exhaustive format played to President Macron's strengths: his mastery of detail and obvious delight in dilating on every conceivable subject.

From BBC Jan. 17, 2024

Some also have trouble with the lining of their small blood vessels not dilating and constricting properly to move blood through, she added.

From Seattle Times Aug. 9, 2023

Pain, shame, ire, impatience, disgust, detestation, seemed momentarily to hold a quivering conflict in the large pupil dilating under his ebon eyebrow.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë




Vocabulary lists containing dilate


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