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 The technology was also tested against deceptive behaviour, an in a different scenario, fishing boats appeared to retreat while vessels from another direction accelerated toward the coastguard ship. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Four coastguard vessels from northern Cyprus and a passenger vessel took part in rescue operations, the Interior Ministry said, as well as two coastguard helicopters to the area. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Four Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels and a civilian passenger boat were deployed to the scene, along with five Turkish coastguard vessels and two helicopters, the ministry statement said. — Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Six Turkish navy vessels were also dispatched to the area, the ministry said. — David Brennan, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 The agency reported no casualties, while advising vessels to navigate the Strait with caution. — Anniek Bao,garrett Downs, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 The recommendation comes as Greenland continues to attract both expedition vessels and larger passenger ships during the summer cruise season, according to Cruise Industry News. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 These upgrades could one day allow the port to host up to 11 Russian naval vessels. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 This has allowed vessels to make shuttle runs in and out, then unload oil to other tankers that deliver the cargo to customers. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vessels
  1. ships
  2. boats
  3. bowls
  4. containers
  5. dishes
Noun
  • Children swim as ships are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on August 10, 2026 off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • State officials say keeping the Coronado Bridge physically sound is crucial to the region and the nation because the bridge’s navigational channels are used by Navy aircraft carriers and cargo ships from the National City Marine Terminal.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ships
Noun
  • The administration has released no evidence that the boats being targeted were engaged in drug trafficking.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 115 mph, downing palm trees and causing damage to boats and buildings.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of boats
Noun
  • Nobody is encouraging you to share your feelings over bowls of lentil broth with a table of strangers.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The open shelves hold Morgan’s decades-old bowls from Pottery Barn as well as the Calyx Ware Lowestoft china that is a family heirloom.
    — Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bowls
Noun
  • Three containers of beef were seen uncovered inside the walk-in freezer.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Keep water in shatterproof containers with airtight lids to prevent contamination.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of containers
Noun
  • Ancient dirty dishes University of South Carolina archaeologist Adam King and his colleagues found fragments of ancient DNA from Theobroma cacao in the inner surfaces of potsherds from long-ago feasts at Etowah.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Drink trays and serving dishes may not get the same attention as the main dish, but the best serving platters are just as critical for making even the most humble of tablescapes look more professional.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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