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
Yet nearly as quickly as the guerrillas left their strongholds, a race to fill the power vacuums began. Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 Failing to address this regulatory vacuum will have far-reaching consequences for the country and the world. Dan Eberhart, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
The truck was vacuumed for evidence, the outlet reported, citing police. Liam Quinn, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024 Upholstered furniture needs to be vacuumed regularly too. Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 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 See all Example Sentences for vacuum 

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 9 Oct. 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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