A vessel is a container designed to hold liquids or other substances. A ceramic bowl, a metal bucket, or a glass jar are all vessels. In science labs, researchers use vessels like beakers and test tubes to hold chemicals. In cooking, pots and pans are vessels for preparing food.

The word also means a ship or large boat, especially one that travels on the ocean. A cargo vessel carries goods across the sea, while a fishing vessel goes out to catch fish. Naval vessels are military ships. This meaning comes from the idea that a ship is essentially a huge container that holds cargo, crew, and supplies while floating on water.

In biology and medicine, a blood vessel is a tube in your body that carries blood. Arteries and veins are both blood vessels, forming a network throughout your body like tiny rivers. When you see the word cardiovascular, the “vascular” part refers to these blood vessels.

The word carries a sense of something that holds or transports precious contents. Whether it's a golden vessel holding sacred water in a temple, a research vessel exploring the Arctic Ocean, or vessels carrying oxygen-rich blood to your brain, a vessel serves as a keeper and carrier of what matters.