vase

noun

US usually
ˈvās How to pronounce vase (audio)
Canadian usually and US also
ˈvāz How to pronounce vase (audio)
British usually, Canadian also, and US sometimes
ˈväz How to pronounce vase (audio)
: a usually round vessel of greater depth than width used chiefly as an ornament or for holding flowers
vaselike
ˈvās-ˌlīk How to pronounce vase (audio)
Canadian usually and US also ˈvāz-;
British usually, Canadian also, and US sometimes ˈväz-
adjective

Examples of vase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The collection included mugs, trinket dishes, bud vases, a slow-feeder bowl and the pot Felix helped throw. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Elton’s gifts to Freddie included artworks, an onyx and gold bracelet, a Cartier ring and, later, Lalique vases. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026 For the opening, the selection includes a ceramic vase by Aneta Regel, two wooden vessels by Marc Ricourt and a straw and threadwork piece by Arko. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 The mural is as if the octopus crawled out of the large vase filled with water and flowers and is helping to feed the birds. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vase

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin vās "container, vessel," going back to Italic *wāss- of obscure origin

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vase was in 1629

Rhymes for vase

See All Rhymes for vase

Browse Nearby Words

vas deferens
vase
vase clock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vase. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vase

noun
ˈvās How to pronounce vase (audio) ˈvāz How to pronounce vase (audio)
: an often round container of greater depth than width used chiefly for ornament or for flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on vase

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vase

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