vesicle

noun

ves·​i·​cle ˈve-si-kəl 

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

First, the lipids form tubes, and then those tubes break apart into little vesicles. —Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Leveraging the natural regenerative qualities of the body, the tiny vesicles, or pouches, act as powerful cell messengers, triggering skin cells to regenerate, boost collagen and improve elasticity. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

The proteins are clustered in one vesicle and then another vesicle and then finally handed off to the lysosome. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

Cancers shed not only cells, but also hormones, DNA and little fatty bubbles called vesicles into the blood and lymph. —Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing vesicle

• blastodermic vesicle
• germinal vesicle
• optic vesicle
• seminal vesicle

Rhymes for vesicle

• vesical

Kids Definition

vesicle

noun

ves·​i·​cle ˈves-i-kəl 

: a small cavity, cyst, or blister usually filled with fluid

Medical Definition

vesicle

noun

ves·​i·​cle ˈves-i-kəl 

1

a

: a membranous and usually fluid-filled pouch (as a cyst, vacuole, or cell) in a plant or animal

b

: synaptic vesicle

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