vault

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: an arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof
b
: something (such as the sky) resembling a vault
c
: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure
the cranial vault
2
a
: a space covered by an arched structure
especially : an underground passage or room
b
: an underground storage compartment
c
: a room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables
3
a
: a burial chamber
b
: a prefabricated container usually of metal or concrete into which a casket is placed at burial
vaulty adjective

Illustration of vault

Illustration of vault
  • vault 1a

vault

2 of 4

verb (1)

vaulted; vaulting; vaults

transitive verb

: to form or cover with or as if with a vault : arch

vault

3 of 4

verb (2)

vaulted; vaulting; vaults

intransitive verb

1
: to leap vigorously
especially : to execute a leap using the hands or a pole
2
: to do or achieve something as if by a leap
vaulted to sudden prominence

transitive verb

: to leap over
especially : to leap over by or as if by aid of the hands or a pole

vault

4 of 4

noun (2)

: an act of vaulting : leap

Examples of vault in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The documents are put into a vault at the State Department, which serves as the treaty depositary for NATO. Christian Edwards, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 The 65th Anniversary Tour features some of the best sketch comedy and songs from the comedy vaults, updated for the modern era. The Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2024 From a family vault at the old Calvary Cemetery, in 1903, the body of Dona Maria Alvarado de Pico, dead nearly 50 years, was dragged out and left some 50 feet away. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Further down the list, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ classic LP from 1977 Exodus vaults 93-36. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2024 Password managers, on the other hand, can offer the same direct browser integration and functions, like autofill or password generation, but the data is all encrypted in a secure password vault. Matthias Pfau, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 And some cemeteries require a concrete vault when burying a body. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Also undamaged: the text of the 19th-century love poem that wraps around the walls of the vault like the ivy of infatuation. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 But somehow, through some eldritch pact made with the gods of the collectible card game, Square Enix managed to snag the greatest minds in card game design and has kept them in a vault for the last 30 years working on Final Fantasy card minigames. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
That’s a new high point for the tune, which vaults from No. 58. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The state vaulted to No. 2 from 33rd in job growth in 2022. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024 In 2021, as prices began vaulting higher, consumers generally were willing to pay them. Paul Davidson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Jan. 2024 The tough partisan approach quickly vaulted Scott to the position of House minority leader when Republicans were in charge. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 The win vaulted the Panthers back past the Bruins and to the top of the East with 26 games left in the regular season. David Wilson, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 Its stock vaulted 31% last year, yet its price/earnings ratio, at 24, is still not much more expensive than the S&P 500 (with a price/earnings ratio of 21), and far cheaper than the QQQ (32). Larry Light, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2024 Texas vaulted up five places to seventh after beating Baylor and then-No. 2 Kansas State last week. Doug Feinberg, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024 Before that, Fleck took a one-win Western Michigan team and vaulted it to consecutive seasons of eight wins before the best year in school history, 2016, when the Broncos finished No. 18 in the coaches poll and went a program-best 13-1, earning a New Year's Six bowl bid. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vault.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English vaute, voute, borrowed from Anglo-French voute, volte, going back to Vulgar Latin *volvita "turn, arched structure," noun derivative from feminine of *volvitus, re-formation of Latin volūtus, past participle of volvere "to travel (a circular course), bring round, roll" — more at wallow entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English vowten, borrowed from Anglo-French vouter, verbal derivative of voute vault entry 1

Verb (2)

probably borrowed from Middle French vouster "to turn about (on horseback), wheel, prance," going back to Vulgar Latin *volvitāre, frequentative of Latin volvere "to travel (a circular course), bring round, roll" — more at wallow entry 1

Noun (2)

noun derivative of vault entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1538, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vault was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vault

Cite this Entry

“Vault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vault. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vault

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: an arched structure of stone or concrete forming a ceiling or roof
b
: an arch or dome suggesting a vault
the vault of the sky
2
: a room or compartment for storage or safekeeping
a bank vault
3
: a burial chamber

vault

2 of 3 verb
: to leap or leap over with the aid of the hands or a pole
vaulter noun

vault

3 of 3 noun
: an act of vaulting : leap

Medical Definition

: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure: as
a
: skullcap, calvarium
the cranial vault

More from Merriam-Webster on vault

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