A vase is a container, usually made of glass, ceramic, or clay, designed to hold cut flowers and water. When someone brings home fresh roses or daisies, they fill a vase with water and arrange the stems inside so the flowers stay upright and beautiful on a table or shelf.

Vases come in countless shapes and sizes. A tall, narrow vase might hold a single long-stemmed flower, while a wide, round vase can display a whole bouquet. Some vases are simple and practical, while others are decorated with patterns, colors, or glazes that make them works of art themselves. Museums display ancient Greek vases covered in detailed paintings that tell stories from thousands of years ago.

Either way, you’re talking about a vessel like the one on your grandmother’s dining room table holding sunflowers from her garden, or the elegant container in a hotel lobby displaying fresh lilies.