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
Later in the episode, Heather made some bold accusations about Lisa Barlow at dinner on the luxury vessel.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
In the past few months alone, the United States has threatened neighbors across Latin America, carried out airstrikes on vessels in nearby international waters, bullied European leaders and abandoned NATO allies, and intentionally destroyed the aid programs that earned it goodwill in Africa.
—Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Jourdan’s colleagues tracked down and reconstructed the exact make and model of radio used by Earhart and the Itasca vessel, which was waiting for the pilot off the shores of Howland Island.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vessel
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Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
In the past few months alone, the United States has threatened neighbors across Latin America, carried out airstrikes on vessels in nearby international waters, bullied European leaders and abandoned NATO allies, and intentionally destroyed the aid programs that earned it goodwill in Africa.
—Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Jourdan’s colleagues tracked down and reconstructed the exact make and model of radio used by Earhart and the Itasca vessel, which was waiting for the pilot off the shores of Howland Island.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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