French word

vaisseau

Pronunciation

IPA/vɛso/

Meaning

  • masculine nounship

Example

Le vaisseau entre dans le port.

The ship enters the port.

Illustration for vaisseau (ship)

More examples

Le vaisseau a traversé l'océan.

The vessel crossed the ocean.

Core concept

A substantial vessel or enclosed passage that carries cargo, people, or fluid.

Similar words

bateau: A small or medium-sized boat for everyday transport of people or goods.
navire: A large, sturdy ship used for commercial or long-distance voyages.

Definition in French

Navire de grande taille ; terme employé aussi par analogie pour désigner des conduits ou véhicules (par ex. vaisseau sanguin, vaisseau spatial).

Word origin

Latin vas, meaning vessel, gave the diminutive vascellum, which became Old French vaissel and then modern French vaisseau.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, bateau is more common for an ordinary boat or ship, while vaisseau is marked and often occurs in naval, literary, scientific, or space contexts.

Other meanings

  • blood vesselnoun
  • spacecraftnoun
  • warshipnoun

Word lists with this word