English Reference

Word

vial

US/ˈvaɪəɫ/

UK/vˈaɪəl/

Definition

n. a very small glass or plastic bottle used to hold liquid medicine or chemicals. You often see these in a doctor's office or a science lab.

n. a small cylindrical container, typically made of glass or plastic, used for holding liquid medicinal or chemical samples.

Examples

“The nurse filled the vial with the vaccine.”

“The scientist carefully labeled each glass vial before placing them in the refrigerated storage unit for the night.”

“After the discovery of the ancient tomb, archaeologists found a small, sealed vial containing a dark residue that they later identified as a rare ceremonial oil.”

Examples

simple

“The nurse filled the vial with the vaccine.”

contextual

“The scientist carefully labeled each glass vial before placing them in the refrigerated storage unit for the night.”

complex

“After the discovery of the ancient tomb, archaeologists found a small, sealed vial containing a dark residue that they later identified as a rare ceremonial oil.”

Usage

Often used in medical, laboratory, or pharmaceutical contexts.

Real-World Examples

“Those who still do may find themselves unable to purchase and provide vaccines in multiple forms or store three times the number of vials.”
The Conversation · 17 Sept 2026
“Vials purporting to be "reta" as it's become known, are being sold in the UK in gyms, nail and beauty salons, hairdressers, on social media and even by flower sellers on the street.”
BBC News · 4 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference