vehicle

noun ve·hi·cle \ ˈvē-ə-kəl also ˈvē-ˌhi-kəl \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of vehicle

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

See vehicle defined for English-language learners

See vehicle defined for kids

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 of vehicle from the Web

Investigators found three 9mm pistols, a 12-gauge shotgun, a BB gun and more than 3,400 rounds of ammunition in Harbour’s vehicle.

— zachary hansen, ajc, "Georgia sniper idolized Parkland shooter, sheriff says," 6 May 2018
There is no suspect description or suspect vehicle description to release at this time, police said.

— annie zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Police investigate shooting in Anchorage’s Centennial Park," 6 May 2018
French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen reached a deal in 2016 to open a plant producing 200,000 vehicles annually in Iran.

— jon gambrell, chicagotribune.com, "Airplane and oil deals at risk in Trump pullout of Iran deal," 6 May 2018
Kona joins the Hyundai lineup as the brand's entry-level crossover vehicle.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "All-new Kona: Small crossover joins Hyundai lineup, starts at $19,500," 5 May 2018
Lopinto said the video then shows Martin turning and spraying his neighbor's vehicle with water from the hose.

— hanna krueger, NOLA.com, "'He would do anything for you': Neighbor finds 'Big Lee' Martin shot dead in his yard," 5 May 2018
Deputies said Norman has not been found within the vehicle’s vicinity.

— barbara harvey, sacbee, "Vehicle of missing Nevada County man is found | The Sacramento Bee," 5 May 2018
The initial collision caused the car to strike the officer's patrol vehicle, DeSpain said.

— chris mccrory, azcentral, "Tempe police: Officer injured in crash involving city bus," 5 May 2018
Police said Cooper passed two other vehicles at a high rate of speed before approaching a left-hand curve and crashing.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Motorcycist Killed In Lisbon Crash," 5 May 2018

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.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1612

in the meaning defined at sense 4a

See Words from the same year

vehicle Synonyms

Synonyms

agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ;

weapon;

activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger;

antecedent, cause, occasion, reason;

subagency, subagent;

Other Paints and Dyes Terms

bloom, craze, medium, size

VEHICLE Defined for English Language Learners

vehicle

noun

Definition 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