vessel

noun

ˈve-səl How to pronounce vessel (audio)
Definition of vesselnext
1
as in ship
a large craft for travel by water a new ocean liner that claims to be the largest commercial vessel afloat

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2
as in boat
a small buoyant structure for travel on water any vessel that is buoyant and steerable can be entered in the annual race down the river

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3
as in bowl
a usually circular utensil for holding something (as food) uses a large copper vessel for beating egg whites

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4
as in container
something into which a liquid or smaller objects can be put for storage or transportation any watertight vessel can be used for mixing the paints

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of vessel The program plays a central role in maintaining US maritime advantage by ensuring warfighters have access to vessels with exceptional endurance, stealth, responsiveness, and advanced warfighting capabilities. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 Ultimately, citizen science work like this continues to show that biodiversity monitoring is no longer confined to research vessels and long-term surveys alone. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Trump and other global leaders have been seeking to protect shipping traffic through the strait, which is off the Iranian coast and a major trade route for oil tankers and other vessels. — Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 25 July 2026 Citadel founder Ken Griffin, whose 308-foot yacht Defy ranks among the world’s largest private vessels, has won approval from Miami Beach to build a private nine-slip marina on Terminal Island near his Miami homes and offices. — Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vessel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vessel
  1. ship
  2. boat
  3. bowl
  4. container
  5. yacht
Noun
  • Choosing the right ship, however, is only one part of creating an exceptional journey.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026
  • The president’s claim came after Houthi rebels targeted Saudi ships in the Red Sea.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of ship
Noun
  • Uncrewed vessels, commonly known as drone boats, have long been a staple of Ukrainian tactics against Russian ships in the Black Sea and famously used with explosives.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Once Nathan knows, word spreads so fast that everyone knows Luke is leaving before all the guests have even left the boat.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Definition of boat
Noun
  • While the lamb is cooking, thinly slice the remaining onion half and transfer to a medium bowl.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
  • This food-safe lookalike can plate up salads and pasta dishes or serve as a decorative piece or fruit bowl.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of bowl
Noun
  • Plant the rhizomes in a good potting soil, keep moist and apply a slow-release fertilizer for container plantings following label instructions.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
  • Instead, residents buy water by the jerrycan, yellow plastic containers that hold about a quarter-gallon, from kiosks, street carts or storage tanks, often at prices that fluctuate and can strain household budgets.
    — Raul Roman, NPR, 25 July 2026
Definition of container
Noun
  • Basketball legend Michael Jordan has been seen getting on and off his yacht at Nammos, the island’s most famous beach club that boasts Las Vegas-type show girls in skimpy costumes.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • The two companies have announced plans to create the world’s first Brabus yachts, combining the German brand’s bold aesthetic and appetite for personalization with AB Yachts’s expertise in building fast, technologically advanced vessels.
    — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 26 July 2026
Definition of yacht

Browse Nearby Words

vespers
vessel
vessels
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Cite this Entry

“Vessel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vessel. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on vessel

Nglish: Translation of vessel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vessel

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