vessels
/ˈves.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɛsəlz] /ˈves.əl/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɛsəlz] /ˈve-səl How to pronounce vessel (audio)/ (ame, mw)
vessels — noun
1. the narrow tubes in a person's or animal's body that move blood or other body fl
the narrow tubes in a person's or animal's body that move blood or other body fluids from one place to another
Healthy blood vessels carry oxygen to every part of the body.
blood vessels + carry oxygen
After the fall, tiny vessels under Lucía's skin burst and left bruises.
tiny vessels under the skin
Smoking can damage the vessels that feed the heart and brain.
The scan showed narrowed vessels in Selim's legs near the knees.
Regular walks help your vessels stay flexible as you get older.
- blood vessels
the full everyday phrase; clearer than plain vessels outside medical contexts
- veins
only one type of vessel, carrying blood toward the heart
- arteries
only one type of vessel, carrying blood away from the heart
文法句型
blood vessels + verb
damaged/narrowed/tiny vessels
vessels in + body part
用法筆記
Usually appears as 'blood vessels' in general English. Using 'vessels' alone for this sense works best when the medical context is already clear.
常見錯誤
2. large boats or ships that carry people, goods, or equipment on the sea, especial
large boats or ships that carry people, goods, or equipment on the sea, especially in official or technical language
Fishing vessels returned to harbour before the storm reached the coast.
fishing vessels + returned to harbour
Two research vessels were tracking whales off eastern Taiwan.
research vessels + were tracking
The navy sent three vessels to deliver food after the typhoon.
Old cargo vessels often wait outside the port for inspection.
At sunset, several vessels moved slowly across the mouth of the bay.
文法句型
fishing/cargo/naval vessels
vessels + verb of movement
number + vessels
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than 'ships' or 'boats' and is common in coastguard reports, maritime law, and shipping news. For small leisure craft, everyday English usually prefers 'boat.'
常見錯誤
3. containers, often curved or made of clay, metal, or glass, that are used to hold
containers, often curved or made of clay, metal, or glass, that are used to hold liquids or other contents
Bronze vessels from the tomb were displayed in a glass case.
bronze vessels from the tomb
Temple workers washed the silver vessels before the festival began.
silver vessels before a ceremony
Naoko packed the flowers in shallow vessels filled with water.
Archaeologists found cooking vessels beside a stone oven underground.
Clay vessels lined the shelf above Gita's kitchen table.
- containers
broader and more everyday, for things that hold objects or liquids
- receptacles
formal, like vessels, but even less common in speech
- jars
specific containers with a narrower everyday meaning
文法句型
bronze/clay/silver vessels
vessels for + liquid
vessels + used/stored/displayed
用法筆記
This sense often appears in religious, historical, artistic, or archaeological contexts. In daily conversation, speakers usually choose a more specific word such as bowl, jar, bottle, pot, or cup.
常見錯誤
4. people thought of as carrying a quality, message, or spiritual power, rather tha
people thought of as carrying a quality, message, or spiritual power, rather than simply acting as themselves
The preacher called the volunteers vessels of hope for the town.
vessels of + abstract noun
In the novel, Yael and her sister become vessels for ancient memory.
vessels for + abstract idea
The speech praised teachers as vessels of patience and wisdom.
Some traditions describe prophets as vessels through which truth can speak.
To the poet, ordinary people were vessels carrying the future forward.
- channels
emphasises something passing through a person
- instruments
stresses that a person is being used for a purpose
- carriers
more direct and less literary than vessels
文法句型
vessels of + abstract noun
vessels for + message/purpose
describe + people + as vessels
用法筆記
This sense is literary, religious, or strongly metaphorical. It often appears with 'of' or 'for' plus an abstract noun such as hope, grace, memory, or anger.