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

• 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

For one thing, it's been nearly three months since SpaceX last conducted an uncrewed flight test from Texas for a vehicle that was intended to begin launching more frequently in 2025. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025

Another piece of the tort reform package that the Texas Senate passed this year is Senate Bill 39, legislation introduced by Senator Brian Birdwell (R) that clarifies the commercial vehicle litigation process in an effort to stop frivolous lawsuits that threaten the livelihood of truckers. —Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Considering the safety features and the training bus drivers go through, Kirkley said parents can rest assured that school buses are one of the safest vehicles on the road. —Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: Broken down vehicle on eastbound I-35 in Olathe There is a broken down vehicle on I-35 from Old K-56/Exit 217 to East Santa Fe Street/Exit 218. —Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025

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