vehicle

noun

ve·hi·cle ˈvē-ə-kəl

also

ˈvē-ˌhi-kəl

Synonyms of vehicle next

: a means of carrying or transporting something

planes, trains, and other vehicles

: such as

: motor vehicle

: a piece of mechanized equipment

: an agent of transmission : carrier

: a medium through which something is expressed, achieved, or displayed

an investment vehicle

especially : a work created especially to display the talents of a particular performer

: an inert medium (such as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent is administered

: any of various media acting usually as solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients or pigments

Example Sentences

cars, trucks, and other vehicles The vehicle's driver was severely injured in the crash. Have you seen his new car? It's a fine-looking vehicle. Water and insects can be vehicles of infection. art as a vehicle for self-expression Words and pictures are vehicles of communication. These big-budget movies are star vehicles for well-known actors. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Thanks to the generous donations of Ohio vehicle owners, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the staff of the local deputy registrar agencies, the Save Our Sight program has reached hundreds of thousands of children in Ohio. —

cleveland, 30 Jan. 2023 Colorado has decided not follow California's ban but has committed to continuing to grow its electrical vehicle market and to increase consumer access to more models. —

Steve Karnowski, ajc, 30 Jan. 2023 The agreement calls for Nissan to invest in Ampere, an electric vehicle and software company founded by Renault. —

Yuri Kageyama, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Jan. 2023 The Scottsdale Police Department arrested 55-year-old Bradley Holmes in connection with multiple vehicle arson incidents caused by Molotov cocktails throughout the month of January. —

Sydney Carruth, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2023 However, police told Enquirer media partner Fox19 vehicle thefts have been on the rise in the region and that brazen juveniles are increasingly involved. —

Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, 29 Jan. 2023 Stanton said vehicle donations will help ensure a safer community. —

Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2023 Video showed officers surrounding Mr. Nichols’s vehicle at an intersection, cursing at him and pulling him out of the driver-side door. —

Mike Baker, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2023 Open during daylight hours for $10 per vehicle, about 90 percent of the park’s 3,730 acres welcomes four wheeling, and sections like the Natural Trail are reserved for hikers. —

Amelia Arvesen, Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vehicle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French véhicule, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin vehiculum "medium, agent of transmission," going back to Latin, "wheeled vehicle, means of transport," from vehere "to carry, convey" + -culum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at way entry 1

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler

The first known use of vehicle was in 1612

See more words from the same year