# vial

/ˈvaɪəɫ/ (US) · /vˈaɪəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vial
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used in medical, laboratory, or pharmaceutical contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.