vehicle

noun

ve·​hi·​cle ˈvē-ə-kəl 

also

ˈvē-ˌhi-kəl 

1

: a means of carrying or transporting something

planes, trains, and other vehicles

: such as

a

: motor vehicle

b

: 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

4

a

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

b

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

Synonyms of vehicle

• instrumentality
• instrument
• means
• agent
• machinery
• mechanism
• organ
• factor
• agency

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The memo also addressed aftermarket auto parts and would supersede the ability of the California Air Resources Board to evaluate parts that affect vehicle emissions. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Flames raced through rows of vehicles at a Rancho Cordova salvage yard Friday evening, engulfing between 50 and 100 vehicles before more than 70 firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses. — Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction. — Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026

According to Reuters, the same vehicle was also photographed passing by Swift's townhouse in the city. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing vehicle

• air-cushion vehicle
• all-terrain vehicle
• heavy goods vehicle
• launch vehicle
• motor vehicle
• recreational vehicle
• sport-utility vehicle
• wave down (a vehicle)

Kids Definition

vehicle

noun

ve·​hi·​cle ˈvē-ˌ(h)ik-əl  ˈvē-ə-kəl 

1

: a means by which something is passed along, expressed, achieved, or shown

movies are vehicles of ideas

2

: something used to transport persons or goods

a space vehicle

Medical Definition

vehicle

noun

ve·​hi·​cle ˈvē-ˌ(h)ik-əl  ˈvē-ə-kəl 

1

: an inert medium in which a medicinally active agent is administered

2

: an agent of transmission

a vehicle of infection