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Meaning & use

vessels

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈveslz/
US/ˈvesəlz/

“vessels” is a form of “vessel”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    Containers, especially large ones, used for holding liquids or other substances.

    Grammar: Plural form of 'vessel'; use 'vessel' for one container.

    Patterns

    • storage vessels
    • cooking vessels
    • vessels of something

    The factory stores oil in huge steel vessels.

    Ancient clay vessels were found at the site.

    These vessels hold up to 500 liters of water.

  2. nounpluralformal

    Ships or large boats, especially ones used for travel or carrying goods on water.

    Grammar: Plural of 'vessel'; in formal or news writing, 'vessel' often means a ship.

    Patterns

    • fishing vessels
    • cargo vessels
    • naval vessels

    Several fishing vessels returned to the harbor before the storm.

    The coast guard stopped a cargo vessel near the border.

    Naval vessels were sent to the area.

  3. nounpluralmedicalbiology

    Tube-like structures in the body that carry blood or other fluids.

    Grammar: Plural of 'vessel'; used in medicine and biology.

    Patterns

    • blood vessels
    • lymph vessels
    • damage to vessels

    Exercise helps keep your blood vessels healthy.

    The surgeon repaired the damaged vessels.

    Tiny vessels carry blood to the skin.

Word forms

singularvessel

Common combinations

blood vessels
Smoking can narrow your blood vessels.
fishing vessels
Fishing vessels left the port at dawn.
storage vessels
The lab uses glass storage vessels for chemicals.
cargo vessel
A cargo vessel arrived with imported goods.
pressure vessel
The pressure vessel must be checked for cracks.

Synonyms and how they differ

containers
A more everyday word than 'vessels' for things that hold substances.
ships
Commoner than 'vessels' for large boats in everyday speech.
boats
Used for smaller craft; 'vessels' sounds more formal and often larger.

Word family

vessel noun
One container, ship, or body tube.
vascular adjective
Relating to tubes that carry fluids, especially blood.

Commonly confused: vessels or vassal?

vessels vs vassal

A 'vassal' is a person who served a lord in the past; 'vessel' is a container, ship, or body tube.

Practice

Choose the sentence where 'vessels' means tubes in the body.

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