vacuum

UK: ˈvæk.juːm | US: ˈvæk.juːm

Definition
  1. n. a space entirely devoid of matter

  2. n. (colloquial) a vacuum cleaner

  3. vt. to clean with a vacuum cleaner

Structure
vacu <empty>um <noun suffix>
Etymology

Derived from Latin vacuus (empty), the word vacuum entered English in the 16th century to describe a void space. The scientific sense (absence of matter) emerged later, while the colloquial use for the cleaning device dates to the early 20th century. The morpheme vacu- preserves its Latin root meaning "empty," and -um is a neuter noun suffix common in Latin loanwords.

Examples
  1. Space is not a perfect vacuum due to scattered particles.

  2. She used the vacuum to clean the carpet.

  3. The experiment requires a high-pressure vacuum chamber.

  4. He vacuumed the entire house before the guests arrived.

  5. In physics, a vacuum is defined by the absence of matter.