vacuum
Americannoun
plural
vacuums, vacua-
a space entirely devoid of matter.
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an enclosed space from which matter, especially air, has been partially removed so that the matter or gas remaining in the space exerts less pressure than the atmosphere (plenum ).
-
the state or degree of exhaustion in such an enclosed space.
-
a space not filled or occupied; emptiness; void.
The loss left a vacuum in his heart.
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a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.
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Physics. a state of lowest energy in a quantum field theory.
adjective
-
of, pertaining to, employing, or producing a vacuum.
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(of a hollow container) partly exhausted of gas or air.
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pertaining to a device or process that makes use of a vacuum to accomplish a desired task.
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noting or pertaining to canning or packaging in which air is removed from the container to prevent deterioration of the contents.
verb (used with object)
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to use a vacuum cleaner on; clean with a vacuum cleaner.
to vacuum rugs.
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to treat with any vacuum device, as a vacuum drier.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a region containing no matter; free space Compare plenum
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a region in which gas is present at a low pressure
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the degree of exhaustion of gas within an enclosed space
a high vacuum
a perfect vacuum
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a sense or feeling of emptiness
his death left a vacuum in her life
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short for vacuum cleaner
-
(modifier) of, containing, measuring, producing, or operated by a low gas pressure
a vacuum tube
a vacuum brake
verb
plural
vacuums-
A region of space in which there is no matter.
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A region of space having extremely low gas pressure relative to surrounding pressure. The air pump of a vacuum cleaner, for example, drastically reduces the air pressure inside the device, creating a vacuum; the pressure difference causes air to rush into it, carrying dust and debris along with it.
Discover More
In the natural world, air will flow into regions of vacuum, giving rise to the saying “Nature abhors a vacuum.”
The saying is extended informally: in politics, a lack of leadership may be referred to as a vacuum, which will presumably be filled by others rushing in.
Other Word Forms
- nonvacuum adjective
Etymology
Origin of vacuum
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin, neuter of vacuus “empty”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Black holes get a bad rep because people think they suck things in, like a vacuum.
From Literature
The power vacuum has dented morale and left CDC staffers confused as senior officials have rotated in and out amid shifting priorities and clashes over policy, say current and former employees.
One man accidentally gained access to thousands of robot vacuums, exposing the AI cybernightmare risk facing millions of Americans.
From MarketWatch
The NFL, meanwhile, has been unable to make any headway on headline issues such as expanding the regular season to 18 games because of the power vacuum inside the union.
He replied, “The vacuum” — the gaping void where his career used to be.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
