/ ˈveɪkənt; NAmE / adjective
1.
( of a seat, hotel room, house, etc. ) empty; not being used
SYN unoccupied :
vacant properties
The seat next to him was vacant.
( especially NAmE )
a vacant lot (= a piece of land in a city that is not being used)
—compare engaged , occupied
2.
( formal ) if a job in a company is vacant , nobody is doing it and it is available for sb to take :
When the post finally fell (= became) vacant, they offered it to Fiona.
( BrE )
Situations Vacant (= a section in a newspaper where jobs are advertised)
3.
( of a look, an expression, etc. ) showing no sign that the person is thinking of anything :
a vacant look
► va·cant·ly adverb :
to stare vacantly
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , or from Latin vacant- remaining empty, from the verb vacare .