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 (rare, formal) vacua)

  1. A region of space that contains no matter.
    Synonyms: vacancy, void
    Antonym: plenum
    • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel Station: Wards Codex entry:
      The Wards are open-topped, with skyscrapers rising from the superstructure. Towers are sealed against vacuum, as the breathable atmosphere envelope is only maintained to a height of about seven meters. The atmosphere is contained by the centrifugal force of rotation and a "membrane" of dense, colorless sulphur hexafluoride gas, held in place by carefully managed mass effect fields.
  2. (colloquial, only pluralized as "vacuums") A vacuum cleaner.
    Synonym: (British) hoover
  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.
  5. An emptiness in life created by a loss of a person who was close, or of an occupation.
  6. An exercise in which one draws their abdomen towards the spine.
    • 1985, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, page 508:
      Abs show up in a most-muscular shot, a vacuum shot, the hands-behind-head compulsory ab shot, twisting poses, and so on.
    • 1997 January 6, John, “I'm 14; How do I start bodybuilding?”, in misc.fitness.weights (Usenet):
      Right I'm off to practice my vacuum - suck in those stomachs now!
    • 2010 January 7, Silent Stone, “Want to start, have a few questions for now.”, in misc.fitness.weights (Usenet):
      When I do the 'gut vacuum' exercise the abdominal wall seems to return to normal size, as far as I can tell under the flab.
    • 2022 October 10, Aaromal Maanas, “2022 Tsunami Nutrition Pro Results and Recap”, in Sportskeeda, archived from the original on 2022-10-23:
      Blessed with round muscle bellies and a phenomenal structure, he also performed a vacuum pose on stage.

Usage notes

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

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. 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.
    Synonym: (British) hoover
    • 2016, Janice M. Whiteaker, Run:
      “Who in the world cleans an attic? That's like vacuuming a shed.”
  2. (intransitive) To use a vacuum cleaner.
    Synonyms: (British) to do the hoovering, (British) to hoover
  3. (transitive, databases) To optimise a database or database table by physically removing deleted tuples.

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /va.kɥɔm/

Noun

vacuum m (plural vacuums)

  1. vacuum (space containing no matter)
    Synonym: vide

Descendants

  • Turkish: vakum

Further reading

Latin

Adjective

vacuum

  1. accusative neuter singular of vacuus

Romanian

Etymology

From Latin vacuum.

Noun

vacuum n (plural vacuumuri)

  1. vacuum

Declension

Spanish

Alternative forms

  • vácuum (recommended)

Noun

vacuum m (plural vacuums)

  1. vacuum
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