vacuum

1 of 3

noun

vac·​u·​um ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm 

-kyəm

also

-kyü-əm 

plural vacuums or vacua ˈva-kyə-wə 

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 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. Somerset 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

Droves of shoppers just bought this over-door organizer that maximizes storage space without taking up a ton of room, and another lot of customers went after this lightweight cordless vacuum that doubles as a handheld for floor-to-ceiling messes. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Use tools like dusters, microfiber cloths, or vacuum attachments for quick and easy cleaning. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Verb

Many homeowners feel a bit of guilt at the thought of someone else cleaning their counters or vacuuming their floors. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026

Arraez has been consistently excellent at vacuuming these tough in-between hops right out of the dirt, often adding a little flair before making his throw. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Adjective

To prevent the annoyance of bunching (especially if your washable rug doesn't have a mat underneath), vacuum washable rugs on a low-suction setting with the beater bar turned off. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026

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

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

Phrases Containing vacuum

• cause/create/leave a vacuum
• in a vacuum
• vacuum bottle
• vacuum cleaner
• vacuum flask
• vacuum gauge
• vacuum-packed
• vacuum pan
• vacuum pump
• vacuum tube

Kids Definition

vacuum

1 of 3 noun

vac·​u·​um ˈvak-yüm  -yu̇-əm 

-yəm

plural vacuums or vacua -yə-wə 

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 cleaner

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  -yu̇-əm 

-yəm

plural vacuums or vacua -yə-wə 

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