View synonyms for vault

vault

[ vawlt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an arched structure, usually made of stones, concrete, or bricks, forming a ceiling or roof over a hall, room, sewer, or other wholly or partially enclosed construction.
an arched structure resembling a vault.
a space, chamber, or passage enclosed by a vault or vaultlike structure, especially one located underground.
an underground chamber, as a cellar or a division of a cellar.
a room or compartment, often built of or lined with steel, reserved for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, especially such a place in a bank.
a strong metal cabinet, usually fireproof and burglarproof, for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, important papers, etc.
a burial chamber.
Anatomy. an arched roof of a cavity.
something likened to an arched roof:
the vault of heaven.

verb (used with object)

to construct or cover with a vault.
to make in the form of a vault; arch.
to extend or stretch over in the manner of an arch; overarch:
An arbor vaulted the path.
to store in a vault:
The paintings will be vaulted when the museum is closed.

verb (used without object)

to curve or bend in the form of a vault.

vault

[ vawlt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to leap or spring, as to or from a position or over something:
He vaulted over the tennis net.
to leap with the hands supported by something, as by a horizontal pole.
Gymnastics. to leap over a vaulting horse or pommel horse, using the hands for pushing off.
to arrive at or achieve something as if by a spring or leap:
to vault into prominence.

verb (used with object)

to leap over:
to vault a fence.
to cause to leap over or surpass others:
Advertising has vaulted the new perfume into first place.

noun

the act of vaulting.
a leap of a horse; curvet.
Gymnastics. a running jump over a vaulting horse or a pommel horse, usually finishing with an acrobatic dismount.

vault

/ vɔːlt /

noun

an arched structure that forms a roof or ceiling
a room, esp a cellar, having an arched roof down to floor level
a burial chamber, esp when underground
a strongroom for the safe-deposit and storage of valuables
an underground room or part of such a room, used for the storage of wine, food, etc
anatomy any arched or domed bodily cavity or space
the cranial vault
something suggestive of an arched structure, as the sky

verb

tr to furnish with or as if with an arched roof
tr to construct in the shape of a vault
intr to curve, arch, or bend in the shape of a vault

vault

/ vɔːlt /

verb

to spring over (an object), esp with the aid of a long pole or with the hands resting on the object
intr to do, achieve, or attain something as if by a leap
he vaulted to fame on the strength of his discovery
dressage to perform or cause to perform a curvet

noun

the act of vaulting
dressage a low leap; curvet

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Derived Forms

ˈvaultˌlike, adjective
ˈvaulter, noun

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Other Words From

vaultlike adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vault¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English noun vaut(e), vout(e), volt(e), volute, from Old French volte, vote, from unrecorded Vulgar Latin volvita, for Latin volūta, noun use of feminine past participle of Latin volvere “to turn”; verb derivative of the noun

Origin of vault²

First recorded in 1530–40; verb from Middle French volter “to leap,” from Old Italian voltare, from unrecorded Vulgar Latin volvitāre “to turn, leap”; the noun is derivative of the verb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vault¹

C14: vaute, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin volvita (unattested) a turn, probably from Latin volvere to roll

Origin of vault²

C16: from Old French voulter to turn, from Italian voltare to turn, from Vulgar Latin volvitāre (unattested) to turn, leap; see vault ¹

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Synonym Study

See jump.

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Example Sentences

It vaulted McLaren from close to the back to become the closest challengers to dominant Red Bull.

From BBC

The man came into contact with an electrical vault atop a generator on the property, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

This transaction reduces the prairie witch into “a room for rent. A vault to store the things people cannot stand to know, or bear. To forget.”

From Los Angeles Times

But, despite a monstrous minor league career that vaulted him into discussion as one of the top young talents in the sport, Lux never quite carved out a full-time role in the Dodgers’ lineup.

From Los Angeles Times

A pile of luggage, the vaulted ceiling of a Victorian train station, a sliding staircase and a frolicsome bookcase conjure the various settings with minimal fuss.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

Vaughn vaulted

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