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
Latest Beryl news: Coast Guard says the storm may shut oil ports: The Coast Guard warned of possible Texas port closures from Corpus Christi to Houston and began restricting vessel traffic because of Beryl.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 8 July 2024
The instructor was thrown from the vessel into the water and the out-of-control boat spun in circles on the lake, according to the outlet.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 7 July 2024
The sheriff’s office announced around 7 p.m. that the twin-engine vessel had been found.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2024
The pristine vessel can be used for private cruising or charter, with a full shipyard warranty providing the new owner with peace of mind on any endeavor.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for vessel 
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 8 July 2024
The instructor was thrown from the vessel into the water and the out-of-control boat spun in circles on the lake, according to the outlet.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 7 July 2024
The sheriff’s office announced around 7 p.m. that the twin-engine vessel had been found.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2024
The pristine vessel can be used for private cruising or charter, with a full shipyard warranty providing the new owner with peace of mind on any endeavor.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 July 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 15 Jul. 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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