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. 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

Other high-end finds include platform Ugg boots that can literally elevate your winter wardrobe, plus a Bissell vacuum that sucks up debris and washes floors clean. —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

In the upper section of the device, an ultrahigh-vacuum chamber maintains these extreme cooling conditions while ensuring the atoms remain perfectly isolated from any external disturbances that could compromise their precision. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar! —Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025

Floors With Hydrogen Peroxide Sweep or vacuum the floor to get rid of dirt, hair, and other loose debris. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025

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

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