26984 words

vacuum

7 definitions • 6 examples
1
a space from which most or all of the matter has been removed, or where there is little or no matter
2
a lack of something:

Examples:

fill a vacuum The withdrawal of troops from the area has created a security vacuum which will need to be filled.
3
kept separate from other people and activities:

Examples:

No artist works in a vacuum - we are all of us influenced by others.
4
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5
to use a vacuum cleaner to collect dust, dirt, etc.:

Examples:

vacuum something (up) Vacuum (up) the cake crumbs, would you?
6
a space without any gas or other matter in it, or a space from which most of the air or gas has been removed:

Examples:

Edison knew that he had to create a vacuum inside the lightbulb.
fig. No marriage exists in a vacuum (= in a situation where nothing else has any influence).
7
to clean something by using a vacuum cleaner:

Examples:

[ T ] Then I vacuumed the carpet.

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