vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l 

: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

Examples of vial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, Zepbound self-pay vials are Eli Lilly’s most popular offering and make up a third of new patients starting on any brand-name obesity drug, the company said during its earnings call on Wednesday. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

Fishermen transported large baskets of flowers by boat into open waters, while others threw flowers, costume jewelry, and vials of perfume into the sea. —Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Nath threw the vial in a club toilet’s water tank, where police retrieved it. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026

In the garage, investigators found multiple refrigerators with vials of unknown liquids, unknown liquids in gallon-size containers, a centrifuge and other laboratory equipment, authorities said. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fiole, viole, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin fiola, alteration of Latin phiala — more at phial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vial

• dial
• rial
• thiol
• trial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial
• supervisorial

Kids Definition

vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l 

: a small container (as for medicines) made usually of glass or plastic

Medical Definition

vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l 

: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

called also phial