vessel

noun

ves·​sel ˈve-səl How to pronounce vessel (audio)
1
a
: a container (such as a cask, bottle, kettle, cup, or bowl) for holding something
b
: a person into whom some quality (such as grace) is infused
a child of light, a true vessel of the LordH. J. Laski
2
: a watercraft bigger than a rowboat
especially : ship sense 1
3
a
: a tube or canal (such as an artery) in which a body fluid is contained and conveyed or circulated
b
: a conducting tube in the xylem of a vascular plant formed by the fusion and loss of end walls of a series of cells

Examples of vessel in a Sentence

a new ocean liner that claims to be the largest commercial vessel afloat any vessel that is buoyant and steerable can be entered in the annual race down the river
Recent Examples on the Web All 13 people aboard the vessel were thrown into the water. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 Aboard a research vessel off the coast of Thailand, scientists sorted through their catch. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 One rumor maintained that the Army had loaded the vessel—repurposed as a troop ship during the war—with Black soldiers who were being sent to Europe on a suicide mission. Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 Smoke poured out of one container aboard the vessel, which also showed scorch marks from the impact of a Houthi missile. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024 The 29-year-old mother of two grew up as the only child of a single mom, a Lake Michigan ship captain, and often joined her mom aboard vessels. Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 The eight-course tasting menu at the Empire Supper Club is the most exclusive offering on Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel, Icon of the Seas. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 But these waters are now also home to major American and Canadian ports, and nearly 300,000 vessels crisscrossed the area in 2023, from commercial container ships to cruise ships to ferries, according to the Coast Guard. Manuel Valdes, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024 The funds raised will help cover funeral costs and recover the couple's vessel and belongings. Colleen Wixon, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vessel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin vascellum, diminutive of Latin vas vase, vessel

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vessel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vessel

Cite this Entry

“Vessel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vessel. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vessel

noun
ves·​sel ˈves-əl How to pronounce vessel (audio)
1
: a hollow utensil (as a cup or bowl) for holding something
2
: a craft bigger than a rowboat for navigation of the water
especially : ship entry 1 sense 1
3
a
: a tube or canal (as a vein or artery) in which a body fluid is contained and carried or circulated
b
: a tube in the xylem of a vascular plant through which water passes

Medical Definition

vessel

noun
ves·​sel ˈves-əl How to pronounce vessel (audio)
: a tube or canal (as an artery, vein, or lymphatic) in which a body fluid (as blood or lymph) is contained and conveyed or circulated

More from Merriam-Webster on vessel

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