Advertisement
Advertisement
vacuum
[ vak-yoom, -yoo-uhm, -yuhm ]
noun
- a space entirely devoid of matter.
- 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.
The loss left a vacuum in his heart.
- a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.
- Physics. a state of lowest energy in a quantum field theory.
adjective
- of, pertaining to, employing, or producing a vacuum.
- (of a hollow container) partly exhausted of gas or air.
- pertaining to a device or process that makes use of a vacuum to accomplish a desired task.
- 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)
- to use a vacuum cleaner on; clean with a vacuum cleaner:
to vacuum rugs.
- to treat with any vacuum device, as a vacuum drier.
verb (used without object)
- to use a vacuum cleaner:
to vacuum in the dining room.
vacuum
/ ˈvækjʊəm /
noun
- a region containing no matter; free space Compare plenum
- a region in which gas is present at a low pressure
- the degree of exhaustion of gas within an enclosed space
a high vacuum
a perfect vacuum
- a sense or feeling of emptiness
his death left a vacuum in her life
- short for vacuum cleaner
- modifier of, containing, measuring, producing, or operated by a low gas pressure
a vacuum tube
a vacuum brake
verb
- to clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner
to vacuum a carpet
vacuum
/ văk′yo̅o̅m /
, Plural vacuums
- A region of space in which there is no matter.
- 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
Notes
Discover More
Other Words From
- non·vacu·um adjective noun plural nonvacuums nonvacua
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of vacuum1
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of vacuum1
Discover More
Example Sentences
But politicians abhor a rhetorical vacuum, and they have clamored to fill it.
Every conspiracy theory starts with an information vacuum, which then tumbles into fantasy.
In a vacuum (translation: but for Obama), this could be a killer year for Democrats.
There are also drones which vacuum the wireless spectrum, picking up tweets, emails, and Skype chats.
So Iran would have to eventually withdraw, leaving a power vacuum, again, in those areas.
Its first cost and expense in working to be much less than that of the Watt low-pressure steam vacuum engine.
The Wheal Prosper 16-inch pole high-pressure expansive steam vacuum engine commenced its up-stroke with steam of 100 lbs.
The conversion of the other, a 63-inch low-pressure vacuum engine at Wheal Gons, will be traced in this chapter.
The steam pressure in the Newcomen atmospheric was continued unaltered in the Watt vacuum engine.
A very thin vacuum shutter forms a better interrupter of sound waves than a brick wall two or three feet in thickness.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse