Vacuum
WordNet
noun
(1) An electrical home appliance that cleans by suction
(2) A region that is devoid of matter
(3) An empty area or space
"The huge desert voids"
"The emptiness of outer space"
"Without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum"
(4) The absence of matter
verb
(5) Clean with a vacuum cleaner
"Vacuum the carpets"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From vacuum noun use of neuter of vacuus (empty) related to vacare (be empty).
Noun
- A region of space that contains no matter.
- A vacuum cleaner.
Usage notes
- In the sense of "a region of space that contains no matter", the plural of vacuum is either vacua or vacuums. In the sense of a "vacuum cleaner" vacuums is the only plural.
- In the sense of in a vacuum; in free space the Latin in vacuo is used.
Verb
- To clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner.
- To use a vacuum cleaner.