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vehicle

noun
ve·​hi·​cle | \ ˈvē-ə-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) also ˈvē-ˌhi-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) \

Definition of vehicle

1 : a means of carrying or transporting something planes, trains, and other vehicles : such as
a : motor vehicle
b : a piece of mechanized equipment
2 : an agent of transmission : carrier
3 : a medium through which something is expressed, achieved, or displayed an investment vehicle especially : a work created especially to display the talents of a particular performer
4a : an inert medium (such as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent is administered
b : any of various media acting usually as solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients or pigments
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about vehicle

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Examples of vehicle in a Sentence

cars, trucks, and other vehicles The vehicle's driver was severely injured in the crash. Have you seen his new car? It's a fine-looking vehicle. Water and insects can be vehicles of infection. art as a vehicle for self-expression Words and pictures are vehicles of communication. These big-budget movies are star vehicles for well-known actors.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Just across a bridge, on the mainland, the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center became the site of an encampment of military vehicles for the People’s Armed Police, a paramilitary force. — Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, "China’s Hong Kong Dilemma," 25 Aug. 2019 Nationally, the fuel tax has lost much of its previous punch due to more fuel-efficient vehicles, and improved ride-sharing and mass transit alternatives. — al, "How the new 6 cent gas tax increase will affect Alabama," 25 Aug. 2019 The service director also gave an example that sometimes there are vehicles up for auction. — John Benson, cleveland.com, "Parma Heights voters to decide handful of charter amendments on fall ballot," 23 Aug. 2019 Desperate to make good in Hollywood, Garland co-produced the project with then-husband Sid Luft specifically as a vehicle for her talents. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "8 essential Judy Garland movies that aren't The Wizard of Oz," 23 Aug. 2019 But for Richard Williams, tennis was always political, always a vehicle for change. — Elizabeth Weil, New York Times, "Did Venus Williams Ever Get Her Due?," 22 Aug. 2019 These cruiser bikes, wonderfully scattered and available just about everywhere, are the perfect vehicles for seeing the downtown-Midtown area. — Gregory Thomas, SFChronicle.com, "One Day, One Place: Sacramento," 22 Aug. 2019 People who live in the suburbs or rural areas are also more likely to rely on personal vehicles for things like transportation, takeout food, and grocery shopping, making on-demand companies that offer these services less appealing. — Alison Griswold, Quartz, "The sharing economy is a massive transfer of wealth from rich investors to rich consumers," 21 Aug. 2019 Its rationale, in the eyes of both parents and proponents, was broadly utilitarian: Camp functioned as a vehicle for moral instruction as much as recreation, because kids’ characters needed building. — Mac Schwerin, Vox, "The case against summer camp," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vehicle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vehicle

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

History and Etymology for vehicle

borrowed from French & Latin; French véhicule, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin vehiculum "medium, agent of transmission," going back to Latin, "wheeled vehicle, means of transport," from vehere "to carry, convey" + -culum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at way entry 1

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More Definitions for vehicle

vehicle

noun
How to pronounce vehicle (audio) How to pronounce vehicle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vehicle

: a machine that is used to carry people or goods from one place to another
: the thing that allows something to be passed along, expressed, achieved, or shown

See the full definition for vehicle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vehicle

noun
ve·​hi·​cle | \ ˈvē-ˌi-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) , -ˌhi-\

Kids Definition of vehicle

1 : something used to transport people or goods
2 : a means by which something is expressed, achieved, or shown She used the show as a vehicle to display her talent.

vehicle

noun
ve·​hi·​cle | \ ˈvē-ˌ(h)ik-əl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) , ˈvē-ə-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) \

Medical Definition of vehicle

1 : an inert medium in which a medicinally active agent is administered
2 : an agent of transmission a vehicle of infection

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