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
Hegseth announced Wednesday that U.S. and Panamanian officials had already signed a memorandum of understanding, and that a final document is on the way to formally secure toll-free priority for American naval vessels.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Its current fleet spans four nearly identical plug-in hybrid ships, each with capacity for 640 passengers and equipped with an 86-ton battery; the company says these batteries are among the largest on any passenger vessel.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
The trans-Pacific trade is heavily reliant on Chinese vessels.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Apr. 2025
Russia has also been observed engaging in joint activities with China involving aircraft and vessels.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vessel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Its current fleet spans four nearly identical plug-in hybrid ships, each with capacity for 640 passengers and equipped with an 86-ton battery; the company says these batteries are among the largest on any passenger vessel.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
The trans-Pacific trade is heavily reliant on Chinese vessels.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Apr. 2025
Russia has also been observed engaging in joint activities with China involving aircraft and vessels.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vessel
Cite this Entry
“Vessel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vessel. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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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