Definition of vehicle
1 : a means of carrying or transporting something planes, trains, and other vehicles: such asa : motor vehicleb : a piece of mechanized equipment
2 : an agent of transmission : carrier
3 : 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
4a : an inert medium (such as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent is administeredb : any of various media acting usually as solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients or pigments
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of vehicle in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of vehicle
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 1way
First Known Use: 1612
VEHICLE Defined for English Language Learners
vehicle
playDefinition of vehicle for English Language Learners
-
: a machine that is used to carry people or goods from one place to another
-
: the thing that allows something to be passed along, expressed, achieved, or shown
VEHICLE Defined for Kids
vehicle
playDefinition of vehicle for Students
1 : something used to transport people or goods
2 : a means by which something is expressed, achieved, or shown She used the show as a vehicle to display her talent.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about vehicle
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vehicle Spanish Central: Translation of vehicle Nglish: Translation of vehicle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vehicle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vehicle
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up vehicle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!