Vessel: meaning, definitions and examples

A vessel is often used to describe a large ship or boat but can also refer to any hollow container that holds liquid, typically in a more formal or technical context.

• The fishing vessel sailed out to sea.
• The blood vessels transport blood throughout the body.

A general term for any object used to store or transport items. It can refer to boxes, bottles, cans, and more, making it versatile for various situations.

• Please store the leftovers in a container.
• She organized her office supplies in various containers.

This is a more formal term, often used in contexts like biology or engineering, to describe any container designed to receive and hold contents.

• The trash receptacle was overflowing.
• The electrical receptacle was malfunctioning.

A pot usually refers to a deep, round container used for cooking or planting. It can be made from various materials like metal, ceramic, or plastic.

• She cooked the soup in a large pot.
• The flowers were planted in a ceramic pot.

Typically refers to a wide-mouthed, cylindrical container made of glass or pottery, often used for preserving food or storing small items.

• She put the homemade jam in a jar.
• The jar was filled with colorful candies.

Commonly used to refer to ships or large boats, also in medical contexts to describe tubular structures carrying fluids in the body.

• The cargo vessel docked at the harbor.
• Blood vessels are essential for circulation.

Commonly denotes cylindrical containers or conduits usually for fluids or small articles, also used in reference to television informally.

• She bought a tube of toothpaste.
• Lab technicians often use test tubes.
• Let's see what's on the tube tonight.

Mainly used to describe man-made waterways used for transportation or irrigation, as well as ducts in the body.

• The Panama Canal is a crucial route for international shipping.
• The ear canal needs to be kept clean.

Frequently used to describe tubes or passages in buildings or the body, especially for conveying air, fluids, or cables.

• The air conditioning duct needs cleaning.
• A blocked bile duct can cause health issues.

Refers to paths for communication or broadcasting, natural waterways, or passageways in general contexts.

• The TV channel is airing a new show tonight.
• The river formed a channel through the valley.
• Communication channels in the company need to be improved.

Use this term when referring to any kind of large container for holding liquids, or in a more formal or technical context when referring to a big or small boat or ship.

• The blood vessels carry blood throughout the body.
• The navy has deployed several vessels to monitor the area.

Appropriate for large vessels used for transporting goods or passengers over seas and oceans. It carries a more formal tone and is used primarily in discussions about maritime activities.

• The ship will dock at the harbor tomorrow.
• He works as an engineer on a cargo ship.

Ideal for everyday conversation when referring to a small watercraft. It can be used for recreational or small-scale fishing vessels.

• We took a boat out on the lake last summer.
• Do you know how to row a boat?

Best suited for a technical or specialized context when referring to any vehicle designed for navigation in water, air, or space. It is a broader term that is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

• The astronauts boarded the spacecraft before liftoff.
• The fishing craft was well-equipped for the journey.