vessel
VEH-suhl
/ˈvɛsəl/
A ship or large boat; also, a hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid.
A formal, broad term for any watercraft larger than a rowboat, often used in legal, maritime, or scientific contexts.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'vascellum', the diminutive of 'vas' (container). The transition from 'container' to 'ship' makes sense when you think of a ship as a hollow container designed to hold cargo and float on water.
Word relationships
- ship: Ship is the common term, while vessel is more formal and includes a wider range of watercraft.
- craft: Craft is a very broad term that can include aircraft and spacecraft, whereas vessel is primarily maritime.
Commonly confused with
- vassal: A vassal is a feudal servant or subordinate, while a vessel is a ship or container.
Collocations
- cargo vessel
- fishing vessel
- naval vessel
- sailing vessel
Idioms & expressions
- empty vessels make the most noise
Example sentences
- "The coast guard intercepted an unidentified vessel sailing in territorial waters." Maritime law enforcement
- "The research vessel was equipped with state-of-the-art sonar technology." Oceanography
Memory hook
A vessel is a hollow container, whether it holds water (like a cup) or floats on water (like a ship). Vessel is a container that floats on water.
When not to use
Do not use for small personal watercraft like kayaks or canoes unless speaking very formally.
Fun facts
- In anatomy, 'blood vessels' are the tubes that carry blood, preserving the original Latin meaning of a hollow container or conduit.
Also appears in
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