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.
Two years after that, the couple purchased more vials of Long’s semen and Share’s wife gave birth to their second daughter, Soren, in 2007. Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026 Authorities discovered 113 vials, with some testing positive for deactivated monkeypox virus. Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 June 2026 The charge price per vial of CroFab anti-venom is $11,000 to $14,000, and the initial dose is typically four to six vials, WakeMed senior marketing specialist Kristin Kelly wrote in an email, noting out-of-pocket costs can vary greatly. Eva Flowe june 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026 On my desk is a plastic vial filled with thousands of grains of sand from Omaha Beach in France, the site of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026 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 12 Jun. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster