vacuum cleaner

noun

: a household appliance for cleaning floors, carpets, upholstery, etc. by suction

called also vacuum sweeper

Examples of vacuum cleaner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gather an old towel, vacuum cleaner, and microfiber cloth or duster. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026 It’s being embedded into an increasing number of products and services, including refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, cars, software and online services. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 Yes, the popular robot vacuum cleaner was acquired by a Chinese manufacturer in January, putting it on the FCC’s chopping block. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Aug. 2026 The conventional wisdom was that the vacuum cleaner was a mature, commoditized category with no meaningful innovation left. — Andy Nguyen, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vacuum cleaner

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacuum cleaner was in 1903

Rhymes for vacuum cleaner

See All Rhymes for vacuum cleaner

Browse Nearby Words

vacuum braker
vacuum cleaner
vacuum coffeemaker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vacuum cleaner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacuum%20cleaner. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vacuum cleaner

noun
: an electrical appliance for cleaning (as floors or rugs) by suction

More from Merriam-Webster on vacuum cleaner

Nglish: Translation of vacuum cleaner for Spanish Speakers

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