vacuum

1 of 3

noun

vac·​u·​um ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
-kyəm,
also
-kyü-əm How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
plural vacuums or vacua ˈva-kyə-wə How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
1
: emptiness of space
2
a
: a space absolutely devoid of matter
b
: a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (such as an air pump)
c
: a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure
3
a
: a state or condition resembling a vacuum : void
the power vacuum in Indochina after the departure of the FrenchNorman Cousins
b
: a state of isolation from outside influences
people who live in a vacuum … so that the world outside them is of no momentW. S. Maugham
4
: a device creating or utilizing a partial vacuum
especially : vacuum cleaner

vacuum

2 of 3

verb

vacuumed; vacuuming; vacuums

transitive verb

1
: to use a vacuum device (such as a vacuum cleaner) on
vacuum the living room
2
: to draw or take in by or as if by suction

intransitive verb

: to operate a vacuum device

vacuum

3 of 3

adjective

1
: of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum
separated by means of vacuum distillation
2
: of or relating to a vacuum device or system

Examples of vacuum in a Sentence

Noun the vacuum of outer space A pump was used to create a vacuum inside the bottle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Beyond a pledge to maintain indefinite military control over Gaza and eventually turn over administrative duties to Palestinians, Netanyahu’s postwar strategy remains murky, leaving a vacuum, political analysts say, that the religious right is eager to fill. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 That pipe – and the waste tank – are pressured, which means that opening the valve creates a vacuum that sucks out what’s in the bowl. Julia Buckley, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 What happens in the crushing vacuum of such an absence? Catherine Newman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 But a path forward for Haiti is uncertain amid the alliances of armed gangs leveraging the power vacuum to solidify control. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 That created a vacuum of power filled by his ex-wife Elaine, on whom Wynn blamed his downfall. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2024 On the other hand, the war has revealed the staggering strategic incompetence of the Israeli government and an astonishing leadership vacuum at the top. Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024 King's Landing power vacuum, a new strain of religious fundamentalism adds a curious new quirk to Westerosi courtly politics. Darren Franich, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 Ad hoc ringleaders emerge to fill the power vacuum created by hands-off managers. Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
Glass jars that have been vacuum sealed with a food evacuator are the gold standard, says Schaich. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2024 Coffee grounds were vacuumed completely away in a few swipes and didn’t go deep into the carpet. Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2024 Robert Lanter lives in a 600-square-foot house that can be traversed in five seconds and vacuumed from a single outlet. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024 The app shows the progression of each cleaning session and highlights areas in different colors to show where the robot vacuumed versus mopped. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The startup is specializing in wireless TVs with hot-swappable batteries that can vacuum suction-mount to a wall and zip-line slowly off said wall when sensing an unstable connection or low battery. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2023 Ultimately, her babysitter made a total of $115 for four hours of babysitting, which included four extra tasks: cleaning the glass on a sliding door, toy and silverware drawer organizing, and vacuuming the couch. Kristina Behr, Parents, 15 Feb. 2024 The dredging firm Boskalis built the project last May, vacuuming up more than 8 million cubic yards of sand to build a motor about one-third the size of the original one in the Netherlands. Jake Bittle, WIRED, 10 Feb. 2024 On the other hand, coffee grounds were able to be vacuumed up without a problem. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Both the container and the vacuum sealer bags keep food fresh for up to five times longer than non-vacuum sealed containers, plus, the container and bags are reusable and resealable. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2024 The non-vacuum up there is dense enough, in fact, that atmospheric drag keeps pulling the station down, requiring regular orbital boosts. Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vacuum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin (translation of Greek kenón), from neuter of Latin vacuus "empty, unoccupied," from vacāre "to be empty or unoccupied, have space, be free" + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix — more at vacant

First Known Use

Noun

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacuum was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near vacuum

Cite this Entry

“Vacuum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacuum. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vacuum

1 of 3 noun
vac·​u·​um ˈvak-yüm How to pronounce vacuum (audio) -yu̇-əm How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
-yəm
plural vacuums or vacua -yə-wə How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
1
a
: a space completely empty of matter
b
: a space from which most of the air has been removed (as by a pump)
2

vacuum

2 of 3 adjective
: of, containing, producing, or using a partial vacuum
the vacuum method of making coffee

vacuum

3 of 3 verb
: to use a vacuum cleaner on
Etymology

Noun

from Latin vacuum "emptiness," from vacuus "empty"

Medical Definition

vacuum

1 of 2 noun
vac·​u·​um ˈvak-(ˌ)yüm How to pronounce vacuum (audio) -yu̇-əm How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
-yəm
plural vacuums or vacua -yə-wə How to pronounce vacuum (audio)
1
: emptiness of space
2
a
: a space absolutely devoid of matter
b
: a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (as an air pump)
c
: a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure : negative pressure

vacuum

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum
separated by means of vacuum distillation
2
: of or relating to a vacuum device or system
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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