Run around the vessel (3)
I believe the answer is:
urn
'vessel' is the definition.
(urn is a type of container)
'run around' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates anagramming the letters.
'run' is an anagram of 'URN'.
'the' is the link.
(Other definitions for urn that I've seen before include "Repository for ashes" , "Ornamental vessel" , "A large vase as for human ashes" , "Vessel for tea or ashes" , "Receptacle for ashes of the dead" .)