van

¹

[van]

noun

1. the foremost or front division of an army, a fleet, or any group leading an advance or in position to lead an advance.

2. those who are in the forefront of a movement or the like.

3. the forefront in any movement, course of progress, or the like.

van

²

[van]

noun

1. a covered vehicle, usually a large truck or trailer, used for moving furniture, goods, animals, etc.

2. a smaller boxlike vehicle that resembles a panel truck, often has double doors both at the rear and along the curb side, and that can be used as a truck, fitted with rows of seats, or equipped with living quarters for traveling and camping.

3. British.

   1. a railway baggage car.

   2. a covered, boxlike railway car, as one used to carry freight.

   3. a small, horse-drawn wagon or a small truck, as one used by tradespeople to carry light goods.

4. Also called van conversion. a conventional van whose cargo area has been equipped with living facilities, extra windows, and often increased headroom.

verb (used with object)

vanned, vanning 

1. to transport or carry (freight, passengers, etc.) in a van.

verb (used without object)

vanned, vanning 

1. to travel in a van.

van

³

Or Van

[van, vahn]

preposition

1. from; of (used in Dutch personal names, originally to indicate place of origin).

van

⁴

[van]

noun

Archaic.

1. a bird's wing or tail, especially when fanned out, as in flight or as part of a mating display.

Van

⁵

[van, vahn]

noun

1. Lake, a salt lake in E Turkey. 1,454 sq. mi. (3,766 sq. km).

2. a town on this lake.

3. a male given name.

van

¹

/ væn /

noun

1. short for caravan

2. a covered motor vehicle for transporting goods, etc, by road

3. a closed railway wagon in which the guard travels, for transporting goods, mail, etc

4. See delivery van

Van

²

/ vɑːn /

noun

1. a city in E Turkey, on Lake Van. Pop: 377 000 (2005 est)

2. a salt lake in E Turkey, at an altitude of 1650 m (5400 ft): fed by melting snow and glaciers. Area: 3737 sq km (1433 sq miles)

van

³

/ væn /

noun

1. any device for winnowing corn

2. an archaic or poetic word for wing

van

⁴

/ væn /

noun

1. short for vanguard

van

⁵

/ væn /

noun

1. Usual US and Canadian word: ad. short for advantage

Word History and Origins

Origin of van¹

First recorded in 1600–10; short for vanguard

Origin of van²

First recorded in 1820–30; short for caravan

Origin of van³

From Dutch

Origin of van⁴

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, variant of fan ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of van¹

C17: variant of _fan ¹

Example Sentences

For years, Mr van den Heever searched the deserted town, finding only traces of the elusive animal.

Read more on BBC

He claimed the van was so heavy, he could not go any faster even if he wanted to.

Read more on BBC

When the convoy of vans and military vehicles bearing the first group passed by, the crowd erupted in a flurry of cheers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s been intense and a lot,” said Dominique Dandridge, who lives across the street from the detention center and has watched as vans arrive and depart at all hours of the night.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“If you say you found the Walbridge, you better have a good reason,” Little-Siebold said, after we piled back into the van.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• camper 
• cart 
• truck 
• wagon