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

Iron fragments from anchor chains and chips of ceramic vessels bear identifiers similar to ceramic produced during the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 18 July 2024

Related Articles Among the furniture, Utrecht armchairs and wooden Nakashima chairs sit alongside an Axel Vervoordt table, marble podiums and ceramic vessels. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 16 July 2024

Initially, the shuttle network shall consist of one service of two vessels with nominal capacities of approximately 2,800 TEUs. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 July 2024

Read on for more about Viking Polaris, the ship’s many amenities, the feel of the onboard experience, and details on the vessel’s Antarctic itineraries. —Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 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