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vehicle

[ vee-i-kuhl or, sometimes, vee-hi- ]
/ ˈvi ɪ kəl or, sometimes, ˈvi hɪ- /
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noun
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Origin of vehicle

1605–15; <Latin vehiculum, equivalent to veh(ere) to convey + -i--i- + -culum-cle2

how to pronounce vehicle

Because the primary stress in vehicle is on the first syllable, the [h] /h/ in the second syllable tends to disappear: [vee-i-kuhl]. /ˈvi ɪ kəl/. A pronunciation with primary stress on the second syllable and a fully pronounced [h] /h/ is usually considered nonstandard: [vee-hik-uhl]. /viˈhɪk əl/. In the adjective vehicular, where the primary stress is normally on the second syllable, the [h] /h/ is always pronounced.

Words nearby vehicle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vehicle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vehicle

vehicle
/ (ˈviːɪkəl) /

noun
any conveyance in or by which people or objects are transported, esp one fitted with wheels
a medium for the expression, communication, or achievement of ideas, information, power, etc
pharmacol a therapeutically inactive substance mixed with the active ingredient to give bulk to a medicine
Also called: base a painting medium, such as oil, in which pigments are suspended
(in the performing arts) a play, musical composition, etc, that enables a particular performer to display his talents
a rocket excluding its payload

Derived forms of vehicle

vehicular (vɪˈhɪkjʊlə), adjective

Word Origin for vehicle

C17: from Latin vehiculum, from vehere to carry
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
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