ampoule

noun

am·​poule ˈam-ˌpyül 

-pül

variants or ampule or less commonly ampul

1

: a hermetically sealed small bulbous glass vessel that is used to hold a solution for hypodermic injection

2

: a vial resembling an ampoule

Examples of ampoule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As for what’s up for grabs during the sale event, there’s the endlessly viral Biodance collagen mask, as well as Rejuran’s best-selling anti-aging ampoule—And there’s plenty more where that comes from! —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026

If serums are your everyday staples, ampoules are basically boosters—typically more tightly concentrated with actives and designed to kick your results up a notch. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026

Extend that same philosophy to all your skin prep products, including cleanser, cleansing oil, eye cream, ampoule, sunscreen, and serum. —Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2026

Extractions targeted congestion, followed by a brightening Dr. Babor ampoule applied with a slow, deliberate massage. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, earlier, "vial, flask," going back to Old French ampule, ampoule, borrowed from Latin ampulla ampulla

Note: The word ampoule in reference to a vessel holding liquid for a hypodermic injection was introduced by its inventor, the French pharmacist Stanislas Limousin (1831-87), in "Ampoules hypodermiques. Nouveau mode de préparation des solutions pour les injections hypodermiques," Bulletin générale de thérapeutique médicale et chirurgicale, vol. 110 (1886), p. 316. — The spellings ampule, ampul hark back to an earlier English word meaning "vial, flask," apparently rare by the 19th century, that continues Middle English ampulle, ampoile, borrowed from the Anglo-French and Old French word. Old English ampelle, ampulle "flask," a feminine weak noun, is borrowed directly from Latin.

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ampoule

• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool
• boule