Definition

1. Noun:

   • A space entirely devoid of matter: In physics, a "vacuum" is a space from which all matter, including air, has been removed.
   • An empty area or space: More generally, it can describe any void or emptiness, either physical or metaphorical.
   • A state of isolation or separation: Used figuratively to describe a situation where someone or something is cut off from outside influences, ideas, or information.
   • A home appliance for cleaning: A shortened, informal term for a vacuum cleaner.

2. Verb:

   • To clean with a vacuum cleaner: The action of using a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and debris from a surface.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Sound cannot travel through a vacuum. (Referring to a space devoid of matter.)
  • His resignation created a power vacuum at the top of the company. (Referring to an empty or unfilled position.)
  • The politician lived in a vacuum, unaware of the people's real problems. (Referring to a state of isolation.)
  • Please pass me the vacuum. (Referring to the cleaning appliance.)

• Verb:

  • I need to vacuum the living room before the guests arrive.
  • She vacuums her car every weekend.

Advanced Usage

• "In a vacuum": This idiom describes something existing or happening in complete isolation, without connection to relevant factors.
  • Economic policies cannot be made in a vacuum; they must consider social impacts.
• "Vacuum up": A phrasal verb meaning to clean or remove something completely using a vacuum cleaner, or figuratively, to consume or acquire something quickly and completely.
  • The industrial vacuum truck can vacuum up all the spilled grain.
  • The new company quickly vacuumed up all the talented engineers in the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Vacuum cleaner (n): The full name for the electrical cleaning appliance.
• Vacuous (adj): Showing a lack of thought or intelligence; empty.
  • He made a vacuous comment during the meeting.
• Vacuity (n): The state of being vacuous; emptiness.
  • The vacuity of his argument was obvious to everyone.

Synonyms

• Void: A completely empty space.
• Emptiness: The state of containing nothing.
• Blankness: An empty space or a lack of expression or ideas.
• Clean (v): To make something free from dirt (a more general synonym for the verb form).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Vacuum out: To clean the inside of something using a vacuum cleaner.
  • We should vacuum out the car's trunk.

Related Idioms

• Nature abhors a vacuum: A proverb meaning that empty or unfilled spaces tend to get filled by something.
  • As soon as the manager left, three people tried to take his position; nature abhors a vacuum.

Noun

1. an electrical home appliance that cleans by suction
2. a region that is devoid of matter
3. an empty area or space
   • the huge desert voids
   • the emptiness of outer space
   • without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum
4. the absence of matter

Verb

1. clean with a vacuum cleaner
   • vacuum the carpets