vacuum

See also: vacuüm

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin vacuum (an empty space, void), noun use of neuter of vacuus (empty), related to vacare (be empty)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈvæ.kjuːm/, /ˈvæ.kjuː.əm/
  • (file)

Noun

vacuum (plural vacuums or vacua) (see usage notes)

  1. A region of space that contains no matter.
  2. (plural only "vacuums") A vacuum cleaner.
  3. The condition of rarefaction, or reduction of pressure below that of the atmosphere, in a vessel, such as the condenser of a steam engine, which is nearly exhausted of air or steam, etc.
    a vacuum of 26 inches of mercury, or 13 pounds per square inch
  4. (physics) A spacetime having tensors of zero magnitude

Usage notes

  • The Latin in vacuo is sometimes used instead of in a vacuum (in free space).

Synonyms

  • (vacuum cleaner): hoover (British)

Antonyms

  • (region of space that contains no matter): plenum

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.

Verb

vacuum (third-person singular simple present vacuums, present participle vacuuming, simple past and past participle vacuumed)

  1. (transitive) To clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner.
  2. (intransitive) To use a vacuum cleaner.
  3. (transitive, databases) To optimise a database or database table by physically removing deleted tuples.

Synonyms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /va.kɥɔm/

Noun

vacuum m (plural vacuums)

  1. vacuum (space containing no matter)

Synonyms

Further reading


Latin

Adjective

vacuum

  1. nominative neuter singular of vacuus

Spanish

Alternative forms

  • vácuum (recommended)

Noun

vacuum m (plural vacuums)

  1. vacuum
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