What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ampule
Example
The nurse broke open the ampule and drew up the medication into the syringe. [ampule: noun]
Example
He carefully opened the ampule and poured the liquid into the test tube. [ampule: noun]
vial
Example
The pharmacist filled the vial with the prescribed medication. [vial: noun]
Example
She carefully labeled the vial with the name and dosage of the medication. [vial: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vial is more commonly used than ampule in everyday language and medical settings. Vial is versatile and can be used for various types of medications, while ampule is more specific to injectable medications and vaccines.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ampule and vial?
Both ampule and vial are formal terms used in medical and laboratory settings. However, vial may be slightly more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
