vessels

noun

plural of vessel
1
as in ships
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 boats
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 bowls
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 containers
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 vessels That has led a growing number of vessels transiting the Straits of Hormuz and Bab-al-Mandeb in the Red Sea to do everything in their power to mask their locations and cargo to avoid attack. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 Only five commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and none on Sunday, according to Kpler, compared to 31 the prior weekend. — August 17, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 In his article, Li argued that effective wartime mobilization depends not only on the number of available vessels, but also on detailed preparation before a conflict begins. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026 On popular routes between Athens and the Cyclades, high-speed vessels can reduce travel times by roughly half compared to conventional slow ferries, Greek ferry companies say. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vessels
  1. ships
  2. boats
  3. bowls
  4. containers
  5. yachts
  6. dishes
Noun
  • Some still laden with weapons, the ships belonged to Nazi Germany's Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk near the end of the war as German troops retreated from Romania and Soviet forces advanced deeper into Europe.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Some still laden with weapons, the ships belonged to Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk near the end of the war as German troops retreated from Romania and Soviet forces advanced deeper into Europe.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ships
Noun
  • Nearly an hour after Nolan was last seen, friends on one of the boats noticed its bilge pump had failed and water was rapidly filling the hull, Tyler Cox and Edward Paltzik, attorneys for the friends, told CNN.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Fire Department assisted Maryland Natural Resources Police in the search, which involved patrol boats, helicopters, drones, and rescue divers.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of boats
Noun
  • Sweetgreen is similarly promoting non-salad offerings like its own protein bowls, plates and wraps, CEO Jonathan Neman told CNBC Make It on Thursday.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Meals such as buffalo chicken mac and cheese, cheeseburger bowls, Cajun chicken pasta, pancakes, pizza bowls and even chicken nuggets are ensured to be nutritious and healthy, Schuler said.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of bowls
Noun
  • In 2025, a data center in shipping containers opened on a floating platform near Yokohama.
    — Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Store food and nesting materials in airtight containers to remove mouse attractions.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of containers
Noun
  • Scheduled to run from September 26 to October 4, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is expected to draw around 250 yachts.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The big picture Windstar Cruises is known for its low-key yet upscale yachting-style of cruising on three sailing ships and three motor yachts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of yachts
Noun
  • The dishes are a light and succulent reinterpretation of Menorca’s gastronomic heritage with an emphasis on seafood and a delicate French accent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Triglav Lodge, Slovenia's highest-altitude guest hut at an elevation of 2,515 meters (8,251 feet), is using paper plates this summer to save water on dishes.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dishes

Browse Nearby Words

vessel
vessels
vest
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Cite this Entry

“Vessels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vessels. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of vessels for Spanish Speakers

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