vessel
noun
ves·sel
| \ ˈve-səl
\
\
Definition of vessel
1a
: 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
3a
: 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
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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
The project is key in securing the longevity of Baltimore’s port, with routine dredging needed to maintain a shipping channel deep enough to accommodate the world’s largest ocean vessels, Van Hollen said. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Proposal advances to deposit Port of Baltimore dredge spoils on Chesapeake Bay’s Barren, James islands," 23 Aug. 2019 After that, the boat will become an education and research vessel. — Smithsonian, "John Steinbeck’s Epic Ocean Voyage Rewrote the Rules of Ecology," 22 Aug. 2019 The Moylans partner with the owners of Detroit Cycle Boat, which operates slightly larger vessels for similar outings. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Tiki boats could be start of untapped business opportunity on Detroit River," 22 Aug. 2019 More news Today’s comics Today’s obituaries Today in history AROUND THE WORLD: On August 22, 1851, the schooner America outraced more than a dozen British vessels off the English coast to win a trophy that came to be known as the America’s Cup. — oregonlive.com, "Portland’s Proud Boys, antifa protests cost downtown businesses $3 million, group says: Morning Briefing for Thursday, Aug. 22," 22 Aug. 2019 Nothing unusual in that—120,000 vessels navigate the strait each year, carrying a third of the world’s oil and gas. — The Economist, "What Britain’s release of an Iranian tanker says about its post-Brexit foreign policy," 22 Aug. 2019 In 1851, the schooner America outraced more than a dozen British vessels off the English coast to win a trophy that came to be known as the America’s Cup. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 22 Aug. 2019 Every day, around the clock, Japan scrambles fighter jets and dispatches coast guard vessels to counter some new Chinese provocation and ward off the intruding boats and planes. — Washington Post, "Japan builds an ‘island wall’ to counter China’s intensifying military, territorial incursions," 21 Aug. 2019 The law punishes aid vessels entering Italian waters, allowing officials to confiscate them and impose million-euro fines on captains who defy the law. — New York Times, "After Desperate Migrants Jump Ship, Italy Allows Rescue Vessel to Dock," 20 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vessel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for vessel
vessel
noun
English Language Learners Definition of vessel
formal
: a ship or large boat
technical
: a vein or artery that carries blood through the body
somewhat old-fashioned
: a hollow container for holding liquids
See the full definition for vessel in the English Language Learners Dictionary
vessel
noun
ves·sel
| \ ˈve-səl
\
\
Kids Definition of vessel
1
: a craft larger than a rowboat for navigation of the water
2
: a hollow utensil (as a cup or bowl) for holding something
3
: a tube (as an artery) in which a body fluid is contained and carried or circulated
vessel
noun
ves·sel
| \ ˈves-əl
\
\
Medical Definition of vessel
: 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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