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

At almost every checkup, my older daughter's doctor slipped me a can of formula or a vial of eczema cream. —Deborah Skolnik, Parents, 1 Mar. 2026

These direct-to-consumer microbiome tests rely on the user to collect their own stool samples at home—to essentially scoop their own poop into a vial and send it off to a lab for analysis. —K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026

According to a message that the health department posted to Facebook on Tuesday, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health issued a voluntary recall because some vials contained sterile water instead of a rabies vaccine. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

The multitool additionally features 10 slots for optional vials of glow-in-the-dark tritium, to help find it in the dark. —New Atlas, 24 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