/ ˈvækjuəm; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a space that is completely empty of all substances, including all air or other gas :
a vacuum pump (= one that creates a vacuum )
vacuum-packed foods (= in a package from which most of the air has been removed)
2.
[ usually sing. ] a situation in which sb/sth is missing or lacking :
His resignation has created a vacuum which cannot easily be filled.
3.
[ usually sing. ] the act of cleaning sth with a vacuum cleaner :
to give a room a quick vacuum
•
IDIOMS
- in a vacuum
■ verb
to clean sth using a vacuum cleaner
SYN hoover :
[ vn ]
Have you vacuumed the stairs?
[also v ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: modern Latin , neuter of Latin vacuus empty.