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vacuum - 9 dictionary results
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vac⋅u⋅um

  [vak-yoom, -yoo-uhm, -yuhm] noun, plural vac⋅u⋅ums for 1, 2, 4–6, vac⋅u⋅a  [vak-yoo-uh] for 1, 2, 4, 6; adjective; verb
Use vacuum in a Sentence
–noun
1. a space entirely devoid of matter.
2. an enclosed space from which matter, esp. air, has been partially removed so that the matter or gas remaining in the space exerts less pressure than the atmosphere (opposed to plenum ).
3. the state or degree of exhaustion in such an enclosed space.
4. a space not filled or occupied; emptiness; void: The loss left a vacuum in his heart.
5. a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.
6. Physics. a state of lowest energy in a quantum field theory.
–adjective
7. of, pertaining to, employing, or producing a vacuum.
8. (of a hollow container) partly exhausted of gas or air.
9. pertaining to a device or process that makes use of a vacuum to accomplish a desired task.
10. 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)
11. to use a vacuum cleaner on; clean with a vacuum cleaner: to vacuum rugs.
12. to treat with any vacuum device, as a vacuum drier.
–verb (used without object)
13. to use a vacuum cleaner: to vacuum in the dining room.
Origin:
1540–50; < L, neut. of vacuus empty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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vac·u·um   (vāk'yōō-əm, -yōōm, -yəm)   
n.   pl. vac·u·ums or vac·u·a (-yōō-ə)
    1. Absence of matter.
    2. A space empty of matter.
    3. A space relatively empty of matter.
    4. A space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure.
  2. A state of emptiness; a void.
  3. A state of being sealed off from external or environmental influences; isolation.
  4. pl. vac·uums A vacuum cleaner.
adj.  
  1. Of, relating to, or used to create a vacuum.
  2. Containing air or other gas at a reduced pressure.
  3. Operating by means of suction or by maintaining a partial vacuum.
tr. & intr.v.   vac·u·umed, vac·u·um·ing, vac·u·umes
To clean with or use a vacuum cleaner.

[Latin, empty space, from neuter of vacuus, empty, from vacāre, to be empty; see euə- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Vacuum

Vac"u*um\, n.; pl. E. Vacuums, L. Vacua. [L., fr. vacuus empty. See Vacuous.]

1. (Physics) A space entirely devoid of matter (called also, by way of distinction, absolute vacuum); hence, in a more general sense, a space, as the interior of a closed vessel, which has been exhausted to a high or the highest degree by an air pump or other artificial means; as, water boils at a reduced temperature in a vacuum.

2. The condition of rarefaction, or reduction of pressure below that of the atmosphere, in a vessel, as the condenser of a steam engine, which is nearly exhausted of air or steam, etc.; as, a vacuum of 26 inches of mercury, or 13 pounds per square inch.

Vacuum brake, a kind of continuous brake operated by exhausting the air from some appliance under each car, and so causing the pressure of the atmosphere to apply the brakes.

Vacuum pan (Technol.), a kind of large closed metallic retort used in sugar making for boiling down sirup. It is so connected with an exhausting apparatus that a partial vacuum is formed within. This allows the evaporation and concentration to take place at a lower atmospheric pressure and hence also at a lower temperature, which largely obviates the danger of burning the sugar, and shortens the process.

Vacuum pump. Same as Pulsometer, 1.

Vacuum tube (Phys.), a glass tube provided with platinum electrodes and exhausted, for the passage of the electrical discharge; a Geissler tube.

Vacuum valve, a safety valve opening inward to admit air to a vessel in which the pressure is less than that of the atmosphere, in order to prevent collapse.

Torricellian vacuum. See under Torricellian.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : vacuum
Spanish: vacío,
German: das Vakuum,
Japanese: 真空
More Translations »

vacuum

The absence of matter.

Note: In the natural world, air will flow into regions of vacuum, giving rise to the saying “Nature abhors a vacuum.”
Note: 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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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vacuum 
1550, "emptiness of space," from L. vacuum "an empty space, void," noun use of neuter of vacuus "empty," related to vacare "be empty" (see vain). Properly a loan-translation of Gk. xenon, lit. "that which is empty." Meaning "a place emptied of air" is attested from 1652. Vacuum tube is attested from 1859. Vacuum cleaner is from 1903; shortened form vacuum (n.) first recorded 1910. The verb meaning "to clean with a vacuum cleaner" is recorded from 1922.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: 1vac·u·um
Pronunciation: 'vak-(")yüm, -yu-&m, -y&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural vac·u·ums or vac·ua /-y&-w&/
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

Main Entry: 2vacuum
Function: adjective
1 : of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum vacuumdistillation>
2 : of or relating to a vacuum device or system
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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vacuum vac·u·um (vāk'y&oomacr;-əm, -y&oomacr;m, -yəm)
n. pl. vac·u·ums or vac·u·a (-y&oomacr;-ə)

  1. Absence of matter.
  2. A space empty of matter.
  3. A space relatively empty of matter.
  4. A space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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vacuum   (vāk'ym)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural vacuums or vacuua
  1. A region of space in which there is no matter.
  2. 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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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