noun / verb
vacuum
A machine that cleans by suction, or cleaning with it.
The vacuum removes dust from the rug.
Etymology
A vacuum cleaner creates reduced air pressure to draw material inward. The adjective's empty-space meaning became the shortened appliance-name and then the cleaning verb.
In context
it is the world's biggest vacuum chamber it's used to test spacecraft in the conditions of outer space and it does that by pumping out the 30 tons of air
More examples
- The vacuum stood in the closet.
- He vacuumed the crumbs from the seat.
- A quiet vacuum made the task easier.
Forms
vacuum · vacuums · vacuumed · vacuuming
Similar words
- vacuum cleaner
- The full device name.
- hoover
- A chiefly British verb for vacuuming.