vac·u·um
ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm 
-kyəm,
also
-kyü-əm
plural vacuums or vacua
ˈva-kyə-wə
1
: emptiness of space
2
a
: a space absolutely devoid of matter
b
: a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (such as an air pump)
c
: a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure
3
a
: a state or condition resembling a vacuum : void
the power vacuum in Indochina after the departure of the French—
Norman Cousins
Norman Cousins
b
: a state of isolation from outside influences
people who live in a vacuum … so that the world outside them is of no moment—W. S. Maugham
W. S. Maugham4
: a device creating or utilizing a partial vacuum
especially
: vacuum cleaner
vacuumed; vacuuming; vacuums
1
: to use a vacuum device (such as a vacuum cleaner) on
vacuum the living room
2
: to draw or take in by or as if by suction
: to operate a vacuum device
1
: of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum
separated by means of vacuum distillation
2
: of or relating to a vacuum device or system
Examples of vacuum in a Sentence
Noun
the vacuum of outer space
A pump was used to create a vacuum inside the bottle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Featured items include Beats (AAPL) headphones, Apple AirPods, robot vacuums, travel luggage, and kids’ tablets, which are all marked down for the event.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
If the ladybugs do get inside, sweeping or vacuuming them up is perhaps the easiest way to dispose of the insects.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2024
The non-vacuum up there is dense enough, in fact, that atmospheric drag keeps pulling the station down, requiring regular orbital boosts.
—Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2017
See all Example Sentences for vacuum 
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Noun
Knock the dust to the floor, then sweep and vacuum.
2.
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Featured items include Beats (AAPL) headphones, Apple AirPods, robot vacuums, travel luggage, and kids’ tablets, which are all marked down for the event.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Remove items from your cabinets and drawers, vacuum any crumbs, and wipe down the surfaces.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
If the ladybugs do get inside, sweeping or vacuuming them up is perhaps the easiest way to dispose of the insects.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Both the container and the vacuum sealer bags keep food fresh for up to five times longer than non-vacuum sealed containers, plus, the container and bags are reusable and resealable.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2024
The non-vacuum up there is dense enough, in fact, that atmospheric drag keeps pulling the station down, requiring regular orbital boosts.
—Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2017
See all Example Sentences for vacuum
Articles Related to vacuum
Dictionary Entries Near vacuum
Cite this Entry
“Vacuum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacuum. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plural vacuums or vacua
-yə-wə
1
a
: a space completely empty of matter
b
: a space from which most of the air has been removed (as by a pump)
2
vacuum
2 of 3 adjective
: of, containing, producing, or using a partial vacuum
the vacuum method of making coffee
vacuum
3 of 3 verb
: to use a vacuum cleaner on
Etymology
Noun
from Latin vacuum "emptiness," from vacuus "empty"
Medical Definition
vacuum
1 of 2 noun
vac·u·um
ˈvak-(ˌ)yüm
-yu̇-əm
-yu̇-əm
-yəm
plural vacuums or vacua
-yə-wə
1
: emptiness of space
2
a
: a space absolutely devoid of matter
b
: a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (as an air pump)
c
: a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure : negative pressure
vacuum
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum
separated by means of vacuum distillation
2
: of or relating to a vacuum device or system
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