Jugular vein, any of several veins of the neck that drain blood from the brain, face, and neck, returning it to the heart via the superior vena cava. The main vessels are the external jugular vein and the interior jugular vein. Word forms: plural jugulars 1. countable noun A jugular or jugular vein is one of the three important veins in your neck that carry blood from your head back to your heart. adjective 1. of, relating to, or situated near the throat or neck. 2. of, having, or denoting pelvic fins situated in front of the pectoral fins. e.g a jugular fish. Word origin of 'jugular' C16: from Late Latin jugulāris, from Latin jugulum throat. Word origin of 'jugular' C16: from Late Latin jugulāris, from Latin jugulum throat. Word origin of 'jugular' LL jugularis < L jugulum, collarbone, neck, throat, dim. of jugum, a yoke IDIOM: "TO GO FOR THE JUGULAR" means to make a serious effort to defeat someone, usually by criticizing or harmin