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

In most vials, the concentration of the peptide on the label hasn’t matched what is in the container, Dukor says. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 24 Feb. 2026

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

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