ampoule

noun

am·​poule ˈam-ˌpyül How to pronounce ampoule (audio)
-pül
variants or ampule or less commonly ampul
1
: a hermetically sealed small bulbous glass vessel that is used to hold a solution for hypodermic injection
2
: a vial resembling an ampoule

Examples of ampoule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ideal for all skin types, the Dr. Jart+ mask boasts a soft, flexible material for cooling the skin along with an ampoule filled with collagen, niacinamide and glyerin. Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2024 Several seven-day ampoule sets will be introduced globally during spring 2024. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2023 The ampoule, a glass capsule used for injecting, contains highly nourishing ingredients for step four. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Aug. 2023 An ampoule containing Microspear® in a soft cream stimulates the skin with a fine texture, which feels like micro-shards on the skin. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Aug. 2023 Unfortunately, these ampoules are on the more expensive side at $106 for a pack of 30, which should last you a month. Daley Quinn, Health, 30 Aug. 2023 To use, snap open one of the serum ampoules and attach the applicator. Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023 Just mix the ampoules with the solution, apply it to your face for 20 minutes, and watch the tightening magic unfold. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 27 Feb. 2023 Care to gawk at one of the world’s last surviving original radium standards, a glass ampoule filled with 20.28 milligrams of radium chloride prepared by Marie Curie in 1913? Tom Vanderbilt, Harper’s Magazine , 13 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ampoule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, earlier, "vial, flask," going back to Old French ampule, ampoule, borrowed from Latin ampulla ampulla

Note: The word ampoule in reference to a vessel holding liquid for a hypodermic injection was introduced by its inventor, the French pharmacist Stanislas Limousin (1831-87), in "Ampoules hypodermiques. Nouveau mode de préparation des solutions pour les injections hypodermiques," Bulletin générale de thérapeutique médicale et chirurgicale, vol. 110 (1886), p. 316. — The spellings ampule, ampul hark back to an earlier English word meaning "vial, flask," apparently rare by the 19th century, that continues Middle English ampulle, ampoile, borrowed from the Anglo-French and Old French word. Old English ampelle, ampulle "flask," a feminine weak noun, is borrowed directly from Latin.

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ampoule was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near ampoule

Cite this Entry

“Ampoule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ampoule. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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