vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l 

: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

Examples of vial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some were stoppers, the design concealing small vials of a particularly deadly poison. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025

In September 2023, the price for one vial containing a solution of 1 gram of rubidium was going for US $121, and a vial of 100 grams in solution went for $2,160, a nearly 20 percent jump up from 2022, according to the 2024 USGS report. —IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025

Also, does Smitty realize that accidentally bumping into someone would have cracked one of the deadly vials taped to her stomach? —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 7 Feb. 2025

However, videos posted on social media show that consumers have been able to purchase vials of glutathione and self-administer at home. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fiole, viole, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin fiola, alteration of Latin phiala — more at phial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vial

• dial
• rial
• thiol
• trial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial
• supervisorial

Kids Definition

vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l 

: a small container (as for medicines) made usually of glass or plastic

Medical Definition

vial

noun

vi·​al ˈvī(-ə)l 

: a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids

called also phial