vault

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: an arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof
b
: something (such as the sky) resembling a vault
c
: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure
the cranial vault
2
a
: a space covered by an arched structure
especially : an underground passage or room
b
: an underground storage compartment
c
: a room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables
3
a
: a burial chamber
b
: a prefabricated container usually of metal or concrete into which a casket is placed at burial
vaulty adjective

Illustration of vault

Illustration of vault
  • vault 1a

vault

2 of 4

verb (1)

vaulted; vaulting; vaults

transitive verb

: to form or cover with or as if with a vault : arch

vault

3 of 4

verb (2)

vaulted; vaulting; vaults

intransitive verb

1
: to leap vigorously
especially : to execute a leap using the hands or a pole
2
: to do or achieve something as if by a leap
vaulted to sudden prominence

transitive verb

: to leap over
especially : to leap over by or as if by aid of the hands or a pole

vault

4 of 4

noun (2)

: an act of vaulting : leap

Examples of vault in a Sentence

Noun (1) archaeologists were thrilled to discover an ancient vault that hadn't been looted by grave robbers Verb (2) vaulted over the obstacle with ease Noun (2) a vault over the car's hood by the frightened deer
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.
Noun
After his death, more than 60,000 of his 35mm film negatives were inexplicably discovered in a bank vault in Stockholm, Sweden. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024 The museum vault is 131 feet long and 32 feet high occupying three floors connected by a long, slanted ramp. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Thanks to its growing promotion efforts, the track vaults 51% in its week-over-week play count. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2024 Saquon Barkley vaulted himself into the conversation with a majestic performance in Sunday night’s 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vault 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English vaute, voute, borrowed from Anglo-French voute, volte, going back to Vulgar Latin *volvita "turn, arched structure," noun derivative from feminine of *volvitus, re-formation of Latin volūtus, past participle of volvere "to travel (a circular course), bring round, roll" — more at wallow entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English vowten, borrowed from Anglo-French vouter, verbal derivative of voute vault entry 1

Verb (2)

probably borrowed from Middle French vouster "to turn about (on horseback), wheel, prance," going back to Vulgar Latin *volvitāre, frequentative of Latin volvere "to travel (a circular course), bring round, roll" — more at wallow entry 1

Noun (2)

noun derivative of vault entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1538, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vault was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vault

Cite this Entry

“Vault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vault. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vault

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: an arched structure of stone or concrete forming a ceiling or roof
b
: an arch or dome suggesting a vault
the vault of the sky
2
: a room or compartment for storage or safekeeping
a bank vault
3
: a burial chamber

vault

2 of 3 verb
: to leap or leap over with the aid of the hands or a pole
vaulter noun

vault

3 of 3 noun
: an act of vaulting : leap

Medical Definition

: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure: as
a
: skullcap, calvarium
the cranial vault

More from Merriam-Webster on vault

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