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 of vessel

• ship
• boat

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

The military operation involved tens of thousands of troops along with advanced missile systems, combat aircraft, naval vessels, and submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026

The Russian patrol vessel Neustrahimiy arrives at Havana harbor on July 27, 2024, as part of a fleet composed of the training ship Smolniy and the offshore oil tanker Yelnya. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 May 2026

The invasion involved more than 7,000 naval vessels and over 11,000 aircraft. —David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026

This causes your blood vessels to narrow, forcing your heart to pump blood faster through smaller vessels. —Sukhman Rekhi, Verywell Health, 21 May 2026

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

Rhymes for vessel

• cresol
• decile
• nestle
• pestle
• sessile
• trestle
• wessel
• wrestle
• subsessile

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