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
This trend highlights not only the growing number of yachting enthusiasts but also the increasing number of high-end vessels sailing into Dubai’s harbors.
—Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The team is now eager to investigate what kinds of products were carried within the vessels in nets, and why the imagery endured over such a large geographic area for so many centuries — and why the exchanges were important enough to be documented on clay tablets.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Advertisement But a sixth person, described only as a male adult, was reported missing and later found inside the overturned vessel by a rescue diver.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
The instrument is a manifested vessel of blood, cultural, and generational heritage and knowledge that delineated the family’s lineage; despite living in a time that sought to erase their everyday existence.
—Malik William, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vessel 
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.
Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The team is now eager to investigate what kinds of products were carried within the vessels in nets, and why the imagery endured over such a large geographic area for so many centuries — and why the exchanges were important enough to be documented on clay tablets.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Advertisement But a sixth person, described only as a male adult, was reported missing and later found inside the overturned vessel by a rescue diver.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
The instrument is a manifested vessel of blood, cultural, and generational heritage and knowledge that delineated the family’s lineage; despite living in a time that sought to erase their everyday existence.
—Malik William, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vessel
Dictionary Entries Near vessel
Cite this Entry
“Vessel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vessel. Accessed 26 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share