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 service boasts more than 75,000 hours of on-demand content, both originals and library content from the media giants’ respective programming vaults, as well as 7,000 hours of live sports, including Liga MX and UEFA Champion’s League soccer. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024 Unfortunately, mosquito control agencies throughout the state have inconsistent access to utility vault information which limits their ability to inspect and apply mosquito control products to the vaults. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 These islands are a true pack-in and pack-out situation, with no potable water in the park, no food for sale, and vault toilets here and there. Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024 For example, six of the 20 most popular titles in Paramount Global’s vault are part of the Star Trek franchise. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024 Notre Dame is expected to reopen on Dec. 8 for the first time since the blaze, which also damaged its roof and some of its vaults. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 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
Verb
The single also vaults 20-14 on Rhythmic Airplay through a 36% increase in plays. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024 The win vaulted the Warriors over the Lakers in the standings and serves a step toward earning a tiebreaker. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 His jumper and three-pointer helped spark the Bruins’ late 18-1 run against Arizona State that vaulted UCLA into a first-round game against No. 12 Oregon State (13-18) at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The decision to ultimately wind down the project is a bombshell for the company, ending a multibillion-dollar effort that would have vaulted Apple into a whole new industry. Mark Gurman, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 The movement begins at No. 6, where Big Ten leader Wisconsin vaults four places. USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 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

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 28 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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