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
The South Florida Sun Sentinel spoke with Sensenbrenner on Thursday about what boaters can do to mitigate the potential for explosions that can shatter a recreational vessel within seconds.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Since the discovery, divers have recovered three sets of remains from the sunken vessel and transported them to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Officers learned two shipments of the jarred tuna came from a Nicaraguan fishing vessel during a June 2023 investigation in Chesapeake, officials said.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Several passports that appear to be from the Republic of Mali were also found on the vessel, police said.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vessel
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David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Since the discovery, divers have recovered three sets of remains from the sunken vessel and transported them to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Officers learned two shipments of the jarred tuna came from a Nicaraguan fishing vessel during a June 2023 investigation in Chesapeake, officials said.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Several passports that appear to be from the Republic of Mali were also found on the vessel, police said.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 29 May 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 6 Jun. 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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