Visit Our Sites

Unabridged Dictionary

Learner's Dictionary

Word Central for Kids

Collegiate Dictionary

Premium Services

Unabridged Dictionary

Collegiate Dictionary

Encyclopedia Britannica

Institutional Subscriptions

Citing the Dictionary

Also Visit:
Unabridged

Visual
ESL:
Learner's
for Kids:
Spell It!
Word Central

vacuum

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

vacuum

Main Entry:: ¹vac·u·um
Pronunciation:: \ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm, -kyəm also -kyü-əm\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural vac·u·ums or vac·ua \-kyə-wə\
Etymology:: Latin, from neuter of vacuus empty, from vacare to be empty
Date:: 1550

1: emptiness of space2 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 pressure3 a: a state or condition resembling a vacuum : void <the power vacuum in Indochina after the departure of the French — Norman Cousins> b: a state of isolation from outside influences <people who live in a vacuum…so that the world outside them is of no moment — W. S. Maugham>4: a device creating or utilizing a partial vacuum; especially : vacuum cleaner

Learn more about "vacuum" and related topics at Britannica.com

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols