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vacuum

vac·u·um [ ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm]

vacuum

noun

[ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm]

plural vacuums or vacua\ ˈva-kyə-wə \

Definition of vacuum

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : emptiness of space

2a : a space absolutely devoid of matter

b : a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (such as an air pump)

c : a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure

3a : a state or condition resembling a vacuum : void the power vacuum in Indochina after the departure of the French— Norman Cousins

b : a state of isolation from outside influences people who live in a vacuum … so that the world outside them is of no moment— W. S. Maugham

4 : a device creating or utilizing a partial vacuum
especially : vacuum cleaner

vacuum

adjective

Definition of vacuum (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum
//separated by means of vacuum distillation

2 : of or relating to a vacuum device or system

vacuum

verb

vacuumed; vacuuming; vacuums

Definition of vacuum (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to use a vacuum device (such as a vacuum cleaner) on
//vacuum the living room

2 : to draw or take in by or as if by suction

intransitive verb

: to operate a vacuum device

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//That way, scientists could study the wear and tear on the materials after spending two years on the lunar surface, exposed to vacuum, extreme temperatures, ionizing radiation and micrometeorite bombardment.
— Timothy Swindle, The Conversation, "Apollo 12: Fifty years ago, a passionate scientist’s keen eye led to the first pinpoint landing on the Moon," 12 Nov. 2019
//For the owner with a fluffy dog: A robot vacuum that cleans up Extra-fluffy dogs mean more to love... and more to clean up.
— Jessica Kasparian, USA TODAY, "20 gifts for those who love dogs more than people," 5 Nov. 2019
//The important yet under-told story in America is that politics does abhor a vacuum, and taxpayers get sucked out of the blue states, to be deposited in more tax-friendly states, like Florida, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee.
— John Kass, Twin Cities, "John Kass: ‘A Day Without Republicans’: a film for blue state taxpayers," 27 Oct. 2019
//That chamber is in vacuum, shielded from the light and heat that would otherwise disrupt the delicate qubits, which sit on a chip at the end of all the wires, isolated in the dark and cold.
— Neil Savage, Scientific American, "Hands-On with Google’s Quantum Computer," 24 Oct. 2019
//The important yet under-told story in America is that politics does abhor a vacuum, and taxpayers get sucked out of the blue states, to be deposited in more tax friendly states, like Florida, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee.
— John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Imagine a day without Republicans. It’s not hard, if you live in Chicago.," 23 Oct. 2019
//For another, the numbers are often provided in what feels like a vacuum, lacking the context necessary to judge whether the streaming service’s programs are successful.
— Time, "These Are the Most Popular Netflix Shows and Movies—According to Netflix," 17 Oct. 2019
//After twenty-five years of making music in a figurative vacuum, the call from Mcgowan would lead to Emmanuel finding, for the first time in his life, an audience.
— Nathan Taylor Pemberton, The New Yorker, "The Case for New Age Music as American Folk Art," 3 Oct. 2019
//That could range from smart lawn sprinklers and thermostats to a security system, gaming system or a robotic vacuum, among many other devices.
— Diego Mendoza-moyers, ExpressNews.com, "Internet of Things: The benefits and hazards of smart home tech," 20 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
//R2-D2-style robots puttered around Olympic venues, vacuuming floors, delivering water bottles, and projecting weather reports.
— Krista Stevens, Longreads, "Olympic Destroyer: The Cyberattack on the 2018 Winter Games," 24 Oct. 2019
//For all of his challenges, Trump commands a gigantic operation that has vacuumed up unprecedented sums of money, an unparalleled megaphone to lure in voters and a lock on most of the Republican Party.
— Author: Annie Linskey, Matt Viser, Anchorage Daily News, "Democrats see weak spots in their own 2020 prospects," 23 Oct. 2019
//And the longstanding Silicon Valley business model of vacuuming up the data of unsuspecting users and leveraging it for profit is coming under sustained attack.
— Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times, "Silicon Valley can’t escape the glare of the presidential race," 4 Oct. 2019
//After overhearing her singing while vacuuming, her employer (Sophie Okonedo) wants to help her get to Nashville.
— Washington Post, "‘Wild Rose’ heralds arrival of rising star Jessie Buckley," 20 June 2019
//Walmart: Score big deals—no membership required—on many of the same items available on Amazon, like Dyson vacuums, air fryers, and Roombas.
— Megan Barber, Curbed, "Best anti-Prime Day deals from Target, Walmart, and more," 15 July 2019
//There's less time to do everyday chores like vacuuming.
— Courtney Campbell, USA TODAY, "The 5 best Amazon deals you can get this Friday," 13 Sep. 2019
//As a professional sports gambler, his hardball tactics of vacuuming up the highest-value clues and wagering huge amounts on Daily Double and Final Jeopardy became must-see TV.
— Emily Yahr, chicagotribune.com, "'Jeopardy!' producer: 'Appropriate' action planned in leak of James Holzhauer's loss," 4 June 2019
//This usually includes leaf raking, blowing and/or vacuuming, as well as leaf disposal.
— Leah Napoliello, Houston Chronicle, "BBB on Homes: Hire a contractor for fall season yard spruce-up," 14 Sep. 2019

First Known Use of vacuum

Noun

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for vacuum

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin (translation of Greek kenón), from neuter of Latin vacuus "empty, unoccupied," from vacāre "to be empty or unoccupied, have space, be free" + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix — more at vacant

Dictionary Entries near vacuum

Phrases Related to vacuum

cause/create/leave a vacuum

in a vacuum

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofvacuum

Synonyms & Antonyms of vacuum

(Entry 1 of 2)

to use a vacuum cleaner on (something) in order to remove dirt

I vacuumed the living room.

Synonyms and Near Synonyms for vacuum

Antonyms and Near Antonyms for vacuum

vacuum

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of vacuum (Entry 2 of 2)

a large empty space

the vacuum of outer space

The loss of his friend left a vacuum in his life.

Synonyms and Near Synonyms for vacuum

hollowness

nothingness

Antonyms and Near Antonyms for vacuum

completeness

fullness
(also fulness)

More Definitions forvacuum

vacuum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of vacuum

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an empty space in which there is no air or other gas : a space from which all or most of the air has been removed

: a situation created when an important person or thing has gone and has not been replaced

vacuum

verb

English Language Learners Definition of vacuum (Entry 2 of 2)

: to clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner

vacuum

noun

vac·u·um | \ ˈva-ˌkyüm \

plural vacuums or vacua\ -kyə-wə \

Kids Definition of vacuum

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a space completely empty of matter

2 : a space from which most of the air has been removed (as by a pump)

3 : vacuum cleaner

vacuum

verb

vacuumed; vacuuming

Kids Definition of vacuum (Entry 2 of 2)

: to use a vacuum cleaner on
//She's vacuuming the carpet.

vacuum

noun

vac·u·um | \ ˈvak-(ˌ)yüm , -yu̇-əm , -yəm\

plural vacuums or vacua\ -yə-wə \

Medical Definition of vacuum

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : emptiness of space

2a : a space absolutely devoid of matter

b : a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (as an air pump)

c : a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure : negative pressure

vacuum

adjective

Medical Definition of vacuum (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum
//separated by means of vacuum distillation

2 : of or relating to a vacuum device or system