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
Bronze and iron weapons as well as household items — including two wooden cups and larger vessels — were found at the site as well.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
The vessels appear to be assisting with search and rescue efforts in the river.
23h ago / 9:07 PM PST
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Law enforcement says American Airlines plane broke into two pieces
Tom Costello
The regional plane broke into two pieces, law enforcement and emergency sources told NBC Washington.
—Elizabeth Maline, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2025
The cranes holding the lifeboat would not release, but as the ship rolled, the smaller vessel touched the water.
—Joel Sams, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
Let Pobedy nuclear icebreaker is one of only two remaining vessels in the first-generation Arktika-class still in service, according to the Maritime Executive.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
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Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
The vessels appear to be assisting with search and rescue efforts in the river.
23h ago / 9:07 PM PST
Copied
Share
Law enforcement says American Airlines plane broke into two pieces
Tom Costello
The regional plane broke into two pieces, law enforcement and emergency sources told NBC Washington.
—Elizabeth Maline, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2025
The cranes holding the lifeboat would not release, but as the ship rolled, the smaller vessel touched the water.
—Joel Sams, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
Let Pobedy nuclear icebreaker is one of only two remaining vessels in the first-generation Arktika-class still in service, according to the Maritime Executive.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
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 2 Feb. 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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