Vault: meaning, definitions and examples

Vault is typically used to describe a large room or chamber, often underground, used for storage, especially of valuables. It's commonly found in banks or old buildings.

• The museum's most precious artifacts are stored in a secure vault
• The bank vault is heavily protected with advanced security systems

Safe is generally used to describe a secure box or small container used for storing valuable items like money, documents, or jewelry. It’s usually found in homes, offices, or smaller businesses.

• She keeps her important documents in a fireproof safe
• The hotel room comes with a small safe for guests to store valuables

Strongroom refers to a fortified room intended to provide protection for valuable items from theft, fire, and other risks. It's typically found in banks, large corporations, or museums.

• The company's sensitive records are kept in the strongroom
• The diamonds are secured in the museum's strongroom

Lock-up is often used to refer to a small, secure room or facility used to confine people temporarily, such as a jail cell. It can also refer, in a more informal sense, to secure storage areas.

• The suspect was placed in the lock-up until his court appearance
• Please put your tools in the lock-up before leaving

A vault is typically used to describe a secure room for storing valuable items like money or important documents. It can also refer to an arched structure in architecture.

• The bank keeps its money in a vault.
• The cathedral features a beautiful vaulted ceiling.

An arch is an architectural element that spans an opening and can support weight from above. It is often found in bridges, doorways, and ancient ruins.

• The ancient Romans built many impressive arches.
• They walked under the arch to enter the garden.

A dome is a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a large, open space inside. Domes are often seen in churches, mosques, and government buildings.

• The Capitol building in Washington DC has a massive dome.
• The mosque is crowned with a beautiful gold dome.

A cellar is a room below ground level in a building, typically used for storing wine or other goods. It can also simply refer to a basement.

• We store our wine collection in the cellar.
• The old house has a damp, dark cellar.

Typically used in gymnastics or track and field when referring to the act of jumping over an obstacle using hands or a pole. Also can be used as a noun to describe a secure room for storing valuables.

• The gymnast performed a perfect vault over the horse.
• The bank's vault is heavily guarded.

Often used to imply a longer or more dramatic jump. Can also be used metaphorically to describe taking a big risk or making a significant change.

• The deer leapt gracefully over the fence.
• Starting his own business was a big leap of faith.

A general term for leaving the ground by pushing off with the feet. Can be used in a variety of contexts from sports to expressions of surprise.

• He can jump very high for such a short person.
• The loud noise made me jump.

Used when referring to a quick, sudden jump or movement, often associated with energy or excitement. Also, it is the season following winter.

• The cat sprang onto the windowsill to catch the sunlight.
• We celebrated the coming of spring with a picnic.