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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

 China consumes twice as much electricity as the U.S. and produces 40% of the world's renewable energy; half the electric vehicles in the world are on Chinese roads. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, "How the Energy Industry Is Using Data to Decarbonize Itself," 6 Sep. 2019 The getaway vehicle was a Dodge pickup without a front plate, according to deputies leading the search. — Fox News, "Kiddie roller coaster with alligator train cars stolen from Ohio fairgrounds, police say," 6 Sep. 2019 Rapes are up 7 percent and the crime of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle is up 4.2 percent. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Beat by beat, street by street, Birmingham police use algorithms to fight crime in age of analytics," 6 Sep. 2019 The vehicle in the 2018 crash, in Culver City, California, was a 2014 model. — Wired, "Feds Say Tesla Autopilot Is Partly to Blame for a 2018 Crash," 4 Sep. 2019 The vehicle was unoccupied and found to be stolen out of Houston Police Department as of that morning. — Houston Chronicle, "Bellaire Police Department weekly police report," 2 Sep. 2019 The agency added that the trooper who was shot in the patrol vehicle was in stable condition. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, "Active shooter dead after killing 5 in West Texas shootings, police say," 31 Aug. 2019 The vehicle’s capability is immediately clear, as is its agricultural intent. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Jeep-like ATV looks like a toy — but Mahindra means business," 31 Aug. 2019 The two vehicles in question are: gold/white small Toyota truck and a USPS Postal Van. — CNN, "1 dead, at least 10 wounded in shootings in Odessa, Texas, police say," 31 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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