/
ˈvakjʊəm/
n.
(pl. vacuums or vacua
/-jʊə/
)
- a space entirely devoid of matter.
▸a space or container from which the air has been completely or partly removed.
- a gap left by the loss or departure of someone or something important.
(pl. vacuums)
a vacuum cleaner.
v.
clean with a vacuum cleaner.
Phrase
- in a vacuum
in isolation from the normal context.
Etymology
C16: mod. L., neut. of L. vacuus ‘empty’.