vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l How to pronounce vial (audio)
: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

Examples of vial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This ground-breaking approach reconciles creativity and technology, utilizing a micro-lab of a thousand vials of jasmine. Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 Many focused on inserting individual flowers into small tubes filled with water and then neatly placing each vial, one by one, onto the floats. Volunteers add seaweed to create a tropical fish on the City of Torrance float in preparation for the Rose Parade. Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024 One study found that vials of injectable melanotan II that claimed to have 10 milligrams (mg) actually contained just 4.32 to 8.84 mg of the product. Marisa Garshick, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2024 Instead, it can be printed directly into a Petri dish, vial or lab plate. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vial 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fiole, viole, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin fiola, alteration of Latin phiala — more at phial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vial was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vial

Cite this Entry

“Vial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vial. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

vial

noun
vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l How to pronounce vial (audio)
: a small container (as for medicines) made usually of glass or plastic

Medical Definition

vial

noun
vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l How to pronounce vial (audio)
: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

called also phial

More from Merriam-Webster on vial

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