1
a
: a container (such as a cask, bottle, kettle, cup, or bowl) for holding something
b
: a person into whom some quality (such as grace) is infused
a child of light, a true vessel of the Lord—
H. J. Laski
H. J. Laski2
: a watercraft bigger than a rowboat
especially
: ship sense 1
3
a
: a tube or canal (such as an artery) in which a body fluid is contained and conveyed or circulated
b
: a conducting tube in the xylem of a vascular plant formed by the fusion and loss of end walls of a series of cells
Examples of vessel in a Sentence
a new ocean liner that claims to be the largest commercial vessel afloat
any vessel that is buoyant and steerable can be entered in the annual race down the river
Recent Examples on the Web
Chinese navy vessels have been tracked off Australia's coast several times in recent years, including monitoring exercises with the U.S. military.
—Fox News, 7 May 2024
Designed by British studio RWD, the vessel uses hydrogen to power both the propulsion system and hotel load to eliminate carbon emissions.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for vessel 
Fox News, 7 May 2024
Designed by British studio RWD, the vessel uses hydrogen to power both the propulsion system and hotel load to eliminate carbon emissions.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for vessel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vessel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vessel
Cite this Entry
“Vessel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vessel. Accessed 12 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vessel
noun
ves·sel
ˈves-əl 
1
: a hollow utensil (as a cup or bowl) for holding something
2
: a craft bigger than a rowboat for navigation of the water
especially
: ship entry 1 sense 1
3
a
: a tube or canal (as a vein or artery) in which a body fluid is contained and carried or circulated
b
: a tube in the xylem of a vascular plant through which water passes
Medical Definition
vessel
noun
ves·sel
ˈves-əl
: a tube or canal (as an artery, vein, or lymphatic) in which a body fluid (as blood or lymph) is contained and conveyed or circulated
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