vessel

noun

ves·​sel ˈve-səl 

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 Lord

—H. 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

Synonyms

• boat
• keel
• ship

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

There's no other brand hand-pouring candles into marble vessels quite like LesRuches. —Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

There’s a dreamlike, storybook charm to Dickens’ world, and Carrey is an inimitable vessel for this approach to the story. —Sezín Devi Koehler, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024

The average turnaround time for vessels at India’s 12 major ports has declined by nearly half (48.7 percent) from 93.6 hours in 2013-2014 to 48.1 hours in 2023-2024, announced India’s minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2024

Pigs cause extra worry because they are considered to be ideal mixing vessels for various animal flu viruses to adapt and spread among humans. —Zeynep Tufekci, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing vessel

• blood vessel

Kids Definition

vessel

noun

ves·​sel ˈves-əl 

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 

: 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