vacuum

[ vak-yoom, -yoo-uhm, -yuhm ]

noun

, plural vac·u·ums vac·u·a [vak, -yoo-, uh]

1. a space entirely devoid of matter.
2. 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 ( plenum ).
3. the state or degree of exhaustion in such an enclosed space.
4. a space not filled or occupied; emptiness; void:

   The loss left a vacuum in his heart.

5. a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.
6. Physics. a state of lowest energy in a quantum field theory.

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, employing, or producing a vacuum.
2. (of a hollow container) partly exhausted of gas or air.
3. pertaining to a device or process that makes use of a vacuum to accomplish a desired task.
4. 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)

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

   to vacuum rugs.

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

verb (used without object)

1. to use a vacuum cleaner:

   to vacuum in the dining room.

vacuum

/ ˈvækjʊəm /

noun

1. See plenum
   a region containing no matter; free space Compare plenum
2. a region in which gas is present at a low pressure
3. the degree of exhaustion of gas within an enclosed space

   a perfect vacuum

   a high vacuum

4. a sense or feeling of emptiness

   his death left a vacuum in her life

5. See vacuum cleaner
   short for vacuum cleaner
6. modifier of, containing, measuring, producing, or operated by a low gas pressure

   a vacuum tube

   a vacuum brake

verb

1. to clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner

   to vacuum a carpet

vacuum

/ văk′yo̅o̅m /

, Plural vacuums

1. A region of space in which there is no matter.
2. 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.

vacuum

1. The absence of matter .

Notes

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

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.

Other Words From

• non·vacu·um adjective noun plural nonvacuums nonvacua

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacuum¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin, neuter of vacuus “empty”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacuum¹

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

Example Sentences

To do so, astrobiologists took their experiments to space to see how terrestrial life holds up in this harsh environment, where the vacuum, lack of oxygen, ultraviolet radiation and extreme temperatures would seem to preclude it.

From Popular-Science

In fact, inflation comes together with a recipe for the quantum state of fields in the inflationary epoch, a so-called Bunch-Davies vacuum.

From Nautilus

That demise would not be a result of expansion or contraction, but due to a phenomenon called vacuum decay.

From Science News

As the pandemic worsened over the summer, the lack of clear state guidance about how and if to reopen schools was creating another vacuum.

From Voice of San Diego

The vacuum re-creates the downward pull of gravity, planting the person’s feet firmly on the floor of the chamber and drawing bodily fluids toward the legs.

From Science News

But politicians abhor a rhetorical vacuum, and they have clamored to fill it.

From The Daily Beast

Every conspiracy theory starts with an information vacuum, which then tumbles into fantasy.

From The Daily Beast

In a vacuum (translation: but for Obama), this could be a killer year for Democrats.

From The Daily Beast

There are also drones which vacuum the wireless spectrum, picking up tweets, emails, and Skype chats.

From The Daily Beast

So Iran would have to eventually withdraw, leaving a power vacuum, again, in those areas.

From The Daily Beast

Its first cost and expense in working to be much less than that of the Watt low-pressure steam vacuum engine.

From Project Gutenberg

The Wheal Prosper 16-inch pole high-pressure expansive steam vacuum engine commenced its up-stroke with steam of 100 lbs.

From Project Gutenberg

The conversion of the other, a 63-inch low-pressure vacuum engine at Wheal Gons, will be traced in this chapter.

From Project Gutenberg

The steam pressure in the Newcomen atmospheric was continued unaltered in the Watt vacuum engine.

From Project Gutenberg

A very thin vacuum shutter forms a better interrupter of sound waves than a brick wall two or three feet in thickness.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gap
• void