Illustration of vault
- vault 1a
1
a
: an arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof
b
: something (such as the sky) resembling a vault
c
: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure
the cranial vault
2
a
: a space covered by an arched structure
especially
: an underground passage or room
b
: an underground storage compartment
c
: a room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables
3
a
: a burial chamber
b
: a prefabricated container usually of metal or concrete into which a casket is placed at burial
vaulted; vaulting; vaults
1
: to leap vigorously
especially
: to execute a leap using the hands or a pole
2
: to do or achieve something as if by a leap
vaulted to sudden prominence
: to leap over
especially
: to leap over by or as if by aid of the hands or a pole
Examples of vault in a Sentence
Noun (1)
archaeologists were thrilled to discover an ancient vault that hadn't been looted by grave robbers
Verb (2)
vaulted over the obstacle with ease
Noun (2)
a vault over the car's hood by the frightened deer
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Chang, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Ars' source likened it to holding the only key to the vault of NSF funding.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
Xander Zellner, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2025
The combine effort, coupled with his Senior Bowl week, could vault Hairston into at least second-round consideration.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
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Noun
The depository has a strict no-visitors policy, as Trump alluded to, and even the president is restricted from accessing the vault.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Ars' source likened it to holding the only key to the vault of NSF funding.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
McRae also vaults from No. 38 to No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100, becoming the top musical act in the U.S. for the first time.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2025
The combine effort, coupled with his Senior Bowl week, could vault Hairston into at least second-round consideration.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
Cite this Entry
“Vault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vault. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vault
1 of 3 noun1
a
: an arched structure of stone or concrete forming a ceiling or roof
b
: an arch or dome suggesting a vault
the vault of the sky
2
: a room or compartment for storage or safekeeping
a bank vault
3
: a burial chamber
vault
2 of 3 verb
: to leap or leap over with the aid of the hands or a pole
vaulter
noun
vault
3 of 3 noun
: an act of vaulting : leap
Medical Definition
vault
noun
: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure: as
b
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