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

Single-dose pens and vials will be excluded from the program. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 26 June 2026

Karly's Kitchen’s langostino and quail egg banh khot, shown here with a vial of fish sauce. — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

Buying unmarked vials online is a different one, and reclassification doesn’t change the risk profile of products that were never tested in the first place. — Allison Palmer updated June 24, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

The product comes with 12 vials of potent serum and cream that, as the price tag indicates, aren’t made with run-of-the-mill ingredients. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 June 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

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

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