van
1[ van ]
/ væn /
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noun
the foremost or front division of an army, a fleet, or any group leading an advance or in position to lead an advance.
those who are in the forefront of a movement or the like.
the forefront in any movement, course of progress, or the like.
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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of van
1First recorded in 1600–10; short for vanguard
Words nearby van
vampire, vampire bat, vampires, vampirism, vamplate, van, vanadate, vanadic, vanadic acid, vanadinite, vanadium
Other definitions for van (2 of 5)
van2
[ van ]
/ væn /
noun
a covered vehicle, usually a large truck or trailer, used for moving furniture, goods, animals, etc.
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.
British.
- a railway baggage car.
- a covered, boxlike railway car, as one used to carry freight.
- a small, horse-drawn wagon or a small truck, as one used by tradespeople to carry light goods.
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, van·ning.
to transport or carry (freight, passengers, etc.) in a van.
verb (used without object), vanned, van·ning.
to travel in a van.
Origin of van
2First recorded in 1820–30; short for caravan
Other definitions for van (3 of 5)
van3
or Van
[ van; Dutch vahn ]
/ væn; Dutch vɑn /
preposition
from; of (used in Dutch personal names, originally to indicate place of origin).
Origin of van
3From Dutch
Other definitions for van (4 of 5)
van4
[ van ]
/ væn /
noun Archaic.
a bird's wing or tail, especially when fanned out, as in flight or as part of a mating display.
Origin of van
4First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, variant of fan1
Other definitions for van (5 of 5)
Van
[ van; for 1, 2 also Turkish vahn ]
/ væn; for 1, 2 also Turkish vɑn /
noun
Lake, a salt lake in E Turkey. 1,454 sq. mi. (3,766 sq. km).
a town on this lake.
a male given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use van in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for van (1 of 5)
van1
/ (væn) /
noun
short for caravan (def. 1)
a covered motor vehicle for transporting goods, etc, by road
British a closed railway wagon in which the guard travels, for transporting goods, mail, etc
British See delivery van
British Dictionary definitions for van (2 of 5)
British Dictionary definitions for van (3 of 5)
British Dictionary definitions for van (4 of 5)
Word Origin for van
C17: variant of fan 1
British Dictionary definitions for van (5 of 5)
Van
/ (vɑːn) /
noun
a city in E Turkey, on Lake Van. Pop: 377 000 (2005 est)
Lake Van 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)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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