View synonyms for

vehicle

[ vee-i-kuhlor, sometimes, vee-hi- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any means in or by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed; a means of conveyance or transport:
a motor vehicle; space vehicles.
a conveyance moving on wheels, runners, tracks, or the like, as a cart, sled, automobile, or tractor.
a means of transmission or passage:
Air is the vehicle of sound.
a carrier, as of infection.
a medium of communication, expression, or display:
The novel is a fitting vehicle for his talents. Language is the vehicle of thought.
Theater, Movies. a play, screenplay, or the like, having a role suited to the talents of and often written for a specific performer.
a means of accomplishing a purpose:
College is a vehicle for success.
Rhetoric. the thing or idea to which the subject of a metaphor is compared, as “rose” in “she is a rose.” Compare tenor ( def 3 ).
Pharmacology. a substance, usually fluid, possessing little or no medicinal action, used as a medium for active remedies.
Painting. a liquid, as oil, in which a pigment is mixed before being applied to a surface.

vehicle

/ ˈviːɪkəl; vɪˈhɪkjʊlə /

noun

any conveyance in or by which people or objects are transported, esp one fitted with wheels
a medium for the expression, communication, or achievement of ideas, information, power, etc
pharmacol a therapeutically inactive substance mixed with the active ingredient to give bulk to a medicine
Also calledbase a painting medium, such as oil, in which pigments are suspended
(in the performing arts) a play, musical composition, etc, that enables a particular performer to display his talents
a rocket excluding its payload

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Pronunciation Note

Because the primary stress in vehicle is on the first syllable, the [h] in the second syllable tends to disappear: [vee, -i-k, uh, l]. A pronunciation with primary stress on the second syllable and a fully pronounced [h] is usually considered nonstandard: [vee-, hik, -, uh, l]. In the adjective vehicular, where the primary stress is normally on the second syllable, the [h] is always pronounced.

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Derived Forms

vehicular, adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vehicle¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin vehiculum, from veh(ere) “to carry, convey, ride” + -i- -i- + -culum -cle ²

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vehicle¹

C17: from Latin vehiculum, from vehere to carry

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Authorities said that on 24 April, at least five victims were offered a ride after a lacrosse game and were taken to nearby woods after the driver of the vehicle pretended to be lost.

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The technology from Hayden AI will help the ticketing process of vehicles parked in Metro bus lanes and at bus stops.

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Because what pierogi are, what they’ve always been, is a vehicle.

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The player’s family said in a statement released Friday that “brave individuals” helped rescue Arenas from the burning vehicle.

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Their vehicle tracking device and mobile phones have been off since then.

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Related Words

vehemently vehicular

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