vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l How to pronounce vial (audio)
: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

Examples of vial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company also had to recall more than 135,000 vials of vecuronium bromide, a muscle relaxer used during surgery, after reports that the medication contained glass particles. Debbie Cenziper, CNN Money, 20 June 2025 The doctor, Salvador Plasencia, supplied Perry with 20 vials of ketamine over two weeks in the period directly leading up to Perry’s death, at times traveling to his house to inject him. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025 Fleming also admitted to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Perry's live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 17 June 2025 Later that day, Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine at the actor’s house and left vials behind for Iwamasa to administer to Perry even though the assistant had no medical training, the filing stated. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for vial

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vial was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vial. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

vial

noun
vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l How to pronounce vial (audio)
: a small container (as for medicines) made usually of glass or plastic

Medical Definition

vial

noun
vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l How to pronounce vial (audio)
: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

called also phial

More from Merriam-Webster on vial

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