Vacuum: meaning, definitions and examples

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vacuum

[ˈvækjuəm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

cleaning device

A vacuum is a machine that sucks up dust and dirt from floors, carpets, and other surfaces.

Synonyms

cleaner, hoover.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vacuum	This word is typically used when describing the machine specifically designed for cleaning floors by sucking up dirt and dust. It's a general term that is more formal. Could you please pass the vacuum? I need to clean the living room. We bought a new vacuum that's really effective at picking up pet hair.
hoover	Commonly used in British English as a casual term for a vacuum cleaner. It originated from the brand name Hoover and can sometimes be used as a verb, meaning to vacuum. I'll get the hoover to clean up this mess. You should hoover the rug before the guests arrive.
cleaner	This can refer to various types of cleaning agents or appliances, not just vacuum cleaners. It's broader and can include people who clean for a living. I need to buy some carpet cleaner for the stains. The office cleaner comes in every evening to tidy up.

Word

Description / Examples

vacuum

This word is typically used when describing the machine specifically designed for cleaning floors by sucking up dirt and dust. It's a general term that is more formal.

Could you please pass the vacuum? I need to clean the living room.
We bought a new vacuum that's really effective at picking up pet hair.

hoover

Commonly used in British English as a casual term for a vacuum cleaner. It originated from the brand name Hoover and can sometimes be used as a verb, meaning to vacuum.

I'll get the hoover to clean up this mess.
You should hoover the rug before the guests arrive.

cleaner

This can refer to various types of cleaning agents or appliances, not just vacuum cleaners. It's broader and can include people who clean for a living.

I need to buy some carpet cleaner for the stains.
The office cleaner comes in every evening to tidy up.

Examples of usage

She used a vacuum to clean the living room.
I need to buy a new vacuum for the house.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

physics

In physics, a vacuum is a space entirely devoid of matter.

Synonyms

emptiness, void.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vacuum	Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe a space devoid of matter, including air. The laboratory maintains a vacuum for certain experiments The concept of a vacuum is important in physics
void	Can be used in both technical and emotional contexts. It often has a more dramatic or intense connotation, and can be used to describe a large, empty space or a profound sense of loss or absence. The void of space is a mystery that scientists are keen to explore He felt a void in his life after his friend moved away
emptiness	Used in emotional or descriptive contexts to convey a feeling or state of being empty or lacking substance. After the loss, she felt a profound sense of emptiness The house echoed with emptiness after they moved out

Word

Description / Examples

vacuum

Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe a space devoid of matter, including air.

The laboratory maintains a vacuum for certain experiments
The concept of a vacuum is important in physics

void

Can be used in both technical and emotional contexts. It often has a more dramatic or intense connotation, and can be used to describe a large, empty space or a profound sense of loss or absence.

The void of space is a mystery that scientists are keen to explore
He felt a void in his life after his friend moved away

emptiness

Used in emotional or descriptive contexts to convey a feeling or state of being empty or lacking substance.

After the loss, she felt a profound sense of emptiness
The house echoed with emptiness after they moved out

Examples of usage

The vacuum of space is a harsh environment.
Scientists study the properties of a vacuum in experiments.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

cleaning action

To vacuum means to clean using a vacuum cleaner.

Synonyms

clean, suck up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vacuum	Referring to a device that is used for cleaning floors or carpets by using suction. This word is used to name the appliance itself. Can you pass me the vacuum? I want to clean the rug. This vacuum is perfect for pet hair.
clean	When discussing general cleaning activities, not necessarily requiring a machine. It can be used in a wide variety of situations, like cleaning objects, surfaces, or places. I need to clean the kitchen after dinner. He spends hours cleaning his car every weekend.
suck up	Often used informally or negatively, implying the removal of dirt, dust, or debris by sucking, usually with a vacuum cleaner. It can sometimes have a less formal tone. Can you suck up all those crumbs with the vacuum? The new vacuum sucks up dirt really well.

Word

Description / Examples

vacuum

Referring to a device that is used for cleaning floors or carpets by using suction. This word is used to name the appliance itself.

Can you pass me the vacuum? I want to clean the rug.
This vacuum is perfect for pet hair.

clean

When discussing general cleaning activities, not necessarily requiring a machine. It can be used in a wide variety of situations, like cleaning objects, surfaces, or places.

I need to clean the kitchen after dinner.
He spends hours cleaning his car every weekend.

suck up

Often used informally or negatively, implying the removal of dirt, dust, or debris by sucking, usually with a vacuum cleaner. It can sometimes have a less formal tone.

Can you suck up all those crumbs with the vacuum?
The new vacuum sucks up dirt really well.

Examples of usage

I need to vacuum the carpets before the guests arrive.
She vacuumed the entire house yesterday.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'vacuus,' meaning 'empty' or 'void.'
It began to be used in the 17th century to describe spaces devoid of matter.
The term 'vacuum' was also used in early scientific discussions about pressure and gases.

Science

In physics, a vacuum is defined as a space with less pressure than the surrounding atmosphere.
Outer space is often referred to as a near-perfect vacuum due to its extremely low density.
Experiments in vacuums help scientists study the behavior of particles without interference from air molecules.

Technology

The first electric vacuum cleaner was patented in 1901, revolutionizing household cleaning.
Vacuum technology is essential in various fields, including semiconductor manufacturing and space exploration.
Innovations like robotic vacuums have made cleaning more convenient and efficient for households.

Philosophy

The concept of a vacuum has sparked philosophical debates on the nature of existence and nothingness.
Some argue that a true vacuum cannot exist since it implies the absence of everything, including space itself.
Rene Descartes and other philosophers discussed the implications of voids and empty spaces in their works.

Pop Culture

In the animated series 'Futurama,' a scene depicts characters experiencing a vacuum in space comedically.
Vacuum-related jokes and puns often appear in cartoons and comedies, playing on the emptiness theme.
The phrase 'you could hear a pin drop in that vacuum' is used to describe silence or emptiness in a room.

Translations

Translations of the word "vacuum" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vácuo

🇮🇳 रिक्ति

🇩🇪 Vakuum

🇮🇩 vakum

🇺🇦 вакуум

🇵🇱 próżnia

🇯🇵 真空 (しんくう)

🇫🇷 vide

🇪🇸 vacío

🇹🇷 vakum

🇰🇷 진공 (jinkong)

🇸🇦 فراغ

🇨🇿 vakuum

🇸🇰 vákuum

🇨🇳 真空 (zhēnkōng)

🇸🇮 vakuum

🇮🇸 tóm

🇰🇿 вакуум

🇬🇪 ვაკუუმი

🇦🇿 vakuum

🇲🇽 vacío

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,128, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4125 collecting
4126 lien
4127 tie
4128 vacuum
4129 favorite
4130 physics
4131 decay
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