Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for van on Thesaurus.com 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. Show More
Origin of van 1 First recorded in
1600–10; short for
vanguard 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. Show More
verb (used with object), vanned, van·ning. to transport or carry (freight, passengers, etc.) in a van. Show More
verb (used without object), vanned, van·ning. to travel in a van. Show More
Origin of van 2 First recorded in
1820–30; short for
caravan preposition (often initial capital letter ) from; of (used in Dutch personal names, originally to indicate place of origin). Show More
Origin of van 4 1400–50;late
Middle English, variant of
fan1 Van [van; for 1, 2 also Turkish
Lake, a salt lake in E Turkey. 1454 sq. mi. (3766 sq. km). a town on this lake. a male given name. Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for van Contemporary Examples of van Finally, Van Cleef and Martin realize Liberty is going too far.
Artists like Mick Jagger and Van Morrison obsessively revered and imitated African-American blues and rock musicians.
Production expenses: equipment rental, lights, lighting board, van rental, trailer rental, road cases, backline.
“I went to a Jewish summer camp…” A van pulls up, and the two hop out, and immediately strip down and do a series of stretches.
It was in Saint-Rémy where Van Gogh sends his brother word of how all his sacrifice may soon be for nothing in this life.
Historical Examples of van Tell Mrs. Van Geist if she can't come down, I'll run up to her.
Mrs. Van Geist fixed her niece with a sudden look of suspicion.
A lovely girl, my dear Mrs. Van Dam,' she said; 'a privilege to know her.
I'm pretty sure that Mrs. Van Dam dislikes to see us together.
We all laughed hysterically, and then Mrs. Van Dam and John went away.
British Dictionary definitions for van 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 Show More
any device for winnowing corn an archaic or poetic word for wing Show More
Word Origin for van C17: variant of fan 1
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) Show More
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
Word Origin and History for van n.1 "front part of an army or other advancing group," c.1600, shortening of vanguard .
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n.2 "covered truck or wagon," 1829, shortening of caravan .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
