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

This floral- and vanilla-themed lineup features 12 sample-size vials from brands like Rare Beauty, Carolina Herrera, Burberry, and Kayali. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Nov. 2026

Wade connected with the CODIS administrator in Florida, who was able to track down a vial of blood collected from Bundy following his 1978 arrest in the state after murdering two sorority sisters and a 12-year-old girl. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026

With tweezers, the scientists gently pulled the strand of silk from the spider’s spinnerets — the abdominal spigots that fibers emerge from — and reeled it in by winding it around a vial with a spinning motor. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

As with any injectable, the person holding the syringe matters as much as the brand on the vial. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 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