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
Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Witnessing Malinin fall is akin to seeing Simone Biles miss a vault or Victor Wembanyama miss a dunk.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
But what vaults it into classic territory is the film’s message of resilience and love.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
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Noun
Officials determined that a total of 26 underground vaults and mausoleums were broken into or desecrated from November 2025 until the day Gerlach was caught.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Witnessing Malinin fall is akin to seeing Simone Biles miss a vault or Victor Wembanyama miss a dunk.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
The family room is also vaulted to reveal the loft space above―yet another way of providing extra volume to a relatively modest space.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
But what vaults it into classic territory is the film’s message of resilience and love.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 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 9 Jan. 2026.
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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