vacuum

American  

[vak-yoom, -yoo-uhm, -yuhm] / ˈvæk yum, -yu əm, -yəm /

noun

plural

vacuums, vacua

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈvækjʊəm /

noun

1. 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 high vacuum

   a perfect vacuum

4. a sense or feeling of emptiness

   his death left a vacuum in her life

5. short for vacuum cleaner

6. (modifier) of, containing, measuring, producing, or operated by a low gas pressure

   a vacuum tube

   a vacuum brake

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verb

1. to clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner

   to vacuum a carpet

vacuum Scientific  

/ 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.

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vacuum Cultural  

1. The absence of matter.

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Discover More

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 Word Forms

• nonvacuum adjective

Etymology

Origin of vacuum

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

Example Sentences

A successful rebalancing will allow the U.S. to maintain focus on global priorities without fearing a security vacuum in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We don't make the game in a vacuum. We make it hand-in-hand with the folks that are playing it."

From BBC

Founded 35 years ago, the Massachusetts company pioneered the development of home vacuum robots and grew to become one of the most recognizable American consumer brands.

From Los Angeles Times

But space is cold, the sun can always shine at the right orbit, and lasers in a vacuum can even outperform fiber-optic cables.

From Barron's

"This kind of event does not just happen in a vacuum," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• gap
• void