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

These tiny particles, called extracellular vesicles (EVs), naturally come from cells and are packed with proteins and genetic material. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2025

Under certain conditions, these molecules can self-organize to create vesicles. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 July 2025

For Simone, the highlight of the space is its exosome offering, which are micro vesicles that come from cells and when applied topically may regenerate the skin. —Emily Burns, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

An exosome is a teeny sac inside a cell, or what a scientist might call an extracellular vesicle. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 30 May 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