vacuum

[ vak-yoom, -yoo-uh m, -yuh m ]

/ ˈvæk yum, -yu əm, -yəm /

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noun, plural vac·u·ums for 1, 2, 4–6, vac·u·a [vak-yoo-uh] /ˈvæk yu ə/ for 1, 2, 4, 6.

a space entirely devoid of matter.

an enclosed space from which matter, especially air, has been partially removed so that the matter or gas remaining in the space exerts less pressure than the atmosphere (opposed to plenum).

the state or degree of exhaustion in such an enclosed space.

a space not filled or occupied; emptiness; void: The loss left a vacuum in his heart.

a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.

Physics. a state of lowest energy in a quantum field theory.

adjective

of, pertaining to, employing, or producing a vacuum.

(of a hollow container) partly exhausted of gas or air.

pertaining to a device or process that makes use of a vacuum to accomplish a desired task.

noting or pertaining to canning or packaging in which air is removed from the container to prevent deterioration of the contents.

verb (used with object)

to use a vacuum cleaner on; clean with a vacuum cleaner: to vacuum rugs.

to treat with any vacuum device, as a vacuum drier.

verb (used without object)

to use a vacuum cleaner: to vacuum in the dining room.

Nearby words

vacuolated, vacuolation, vacuole, vacuous, vacutome, vacuum, vacuum activity, vacuum aspiration, vacuum bottle, vacuum brake, vacuum casting

Origin of vacuum

1540–50; < Latin, neuter of vacuus empty

Related forms

non·vac·u·um, adjective, noun, plural non·vac·u·ums, non·vac·u·a.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vacuum

In a vacuum (translation: but for Obama), this could be a killer year for Democrats.
Biggest Midterm Issue? The Obamaphant in the Living Room|Dean Obeidallah|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are also drones which vacuum the wireless spectrum, picking up tweets, emails, and Skype chats.
Hamas Has Already Won Its Rocket War With Israel|Eli Lake|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We found that even in cases where individuals acted alone, in an operational sense, they were not radicalized in a vacuum.
The Syrian War Comes Home to Europe|Ghaffar Hussain|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rather, he is pointing out what should be obvious but is too often ignored: The court does not operate in a vacuum.
The True Meaning of the Second Amendment|Malcolm Jones|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But as Feldman argues, “Nobody raises their child in a vacuum.”
One Breakdown Can Mean Losing Your Kid Forever|ProPublica|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tubes which have been evacuated usually are sealed off while they are still connected to the vacuum pump.
Laboratory Manual of Glass-Blowing|Francis C. Frary
So that lead is to the ether, as regards density, very much as the "vacuum" above spoken of is to lead.
The Ether of Space|Oliver Lodge
By a chemical process the air in the chamber was exhausted, instantly causing a vacuum.
Zarlah the Martian|R. Norman Grisewood
She saw only an unanatomical array of vacuum tubes and electrical relays.
Weak on Square Roots|Russell Burton
The greatest part of abstract terms are shadows that hide a vacuum.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood

British Dictionary definitions for vacuum

vacuum

/ (ˈvækjʊəm) /

noun plural vacuums or vacua (ˈvækjʊə)

a region containing no matter; free spaceCompare plenum (def. 3)

a region in which gas is present at a low pressure

the degree of exhaustion of gas within an enclosed spacea high vacuum; a perfect vacuum

a sense or feeling of emptinesshis death left a vacuum in her life

short for vacuum cleaner

(modifier) of, containing, measuring, producing, or operated by a low gas pressurea vacuum tube; a vacuum brake

verb

to clean (something) with a vacuum cleanerto vacuum a carpet

Word Origin for vacuum

C16: from Latin: an empty space, from vacuus empty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for vacuum

vacuum

[ văk′yōō-əm, -yōōm, -yəm ]

n. pl. vac•u•ums

Absence of matter.

A space empty of matter.

A space relatively empty of matter.

A space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure.

Science definitions for vacuum

vacuum

[ văk′yōōm ]

Plural vacuums vacuua

A region of space in which there is no matter.

A region of space having extremely low gas pressure relative to surrounding pressure. The air pump of a vacuum cleaner, for example, drastically reduces the air pressure inside the device, creating a vacuum; the pressure difference causes air to rush into it, carrying dust and debris along with it.

Culture definitions for vacuum

vacuum

The absence of matter.

Note

In the natural world, air will flow into regions of vacuum, giving rise to the saying “Nature abhors a vacuum.”

Note

The saying is extended informally: in politics, a lack of leadership may be referred to as a vacuum, which will presumably be filled by others rushing in.