vesicle

noun

ves·​i·​cle ˈve-si-kəl How to pronounce vesicle (audio)
1
a
: a membranous and usually fluid-filled pouch (such as a cyst, vacuole, or cell) in a plant or animal
b
: a small abnormal elevation of the outer layer of skin enclosing a watery liquid : blister
c
: a pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning of an organ
2
: a small cavity in a mineral or rock

Examples of vesicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The study’s results suggest that mRNA in extracellular vesicles are likely an ideal biological marker for identifying brain disorders that involve mood, schizophrenia, epilepsy and substance abuse. Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 After some investigation, Dillin’s team discovered that the mitochondria in stressed neurons were using vesicles — bubblelike containers that move materials around the cell or between cells — to carry a signal called Wnt beyond the nerve cells to other cells in the body. Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024 And when the researchers prevented astrocytes from using vesicles, the cells could no longer release glutamate. Laura Dattaro, Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 What Common Childhood Rashes Look Like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by the coxsackie virus, which produces little vesicles, or blisters, in the mouth, on the fingers, or on the feet. Parents Editors, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023 Astrocytes in one — and only one — of the clusters transcribed proteins known to be involved in neurotransmitter storage, release and transport using vesicles, as occurs in neurons. Laura Dattaro, Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 Chickenpox is easily recognized because the skin around the vesicles is normal. Parents Editors, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023 What Common Childhood Rashes Look Like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by the coxsackie virus, which produces little vesicles, or blisters, in the mouth, on the fingers, or on the feet. Parents Editors, Parents, 6 June 2023 Once completed, connexins are then pinched off into vesicles (shown as a sphere) that carry them to the membrane of the nearby Golgi apparatus, where additional processing of membrane proteins occurs. Karen Hopkin, Scientific American, 1 May 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vesicle.' 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 French vesicule, from Latin vesicula small bladder, blister, from diminutive of vesica

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vesicle was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near vesicle

Cite this Entry

“Vesicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vesicle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vesicle

noun
ves·​i·​cle ˈves-i-kəl How to pronounce vesicle (audio)
: a small cavity, cyst, or blister usually filled with fluid

Medical Definition

vesicle

noun
ves·​i·​cle ˈves-i-kəl How to pronounce vesicle (audio)
1
a
: a membranous and usually fluid-filled pouch (as a cyst, vacuole, or cell) in a plant or animal
2
: a small abnormal elevation of the outer layer of skin enclosing a watery liquid : blister
3
: a pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning of an organ see brain vesicle, optic vesicle, otic vesicle

More from Merriam-Webster on vesicle

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