Illustration of vault
- vault 1a
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
vaulted; vaulting; vaults
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
: to leap over
especially
: to leap over by or as if by aid of the hands or a pole
Examples of vault in a Sentence
Noun (1)
archaeologists were thrilled to discover an ancient vault that hadn't been looted by grave robbers
Verb (2)
vaulted over the obstacle with ease
Noun (2)
a vault over the car's hood by the frightened deer
Recent Examples on the Web
Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2025
In times of rising tension, governments need more gold in their vaults.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Cruise is later seen vaulting from the ship’s deck into the ocean.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
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show current usage.
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Noun
In response, Trump allies have dug through the vault to hit them with their own words.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2025
In times of rising tension, governments need more gold in their vaults.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
Before the leaders even got on the course, a former champion was hunting them down and vaulting his way into contention.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Cruise is later seen vaulting from the ship’s deck into the ocean.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
Cite this Entry
“Vault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vault. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vault
1 of 3 noun1
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
vault
noun
: an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure: as
b
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