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
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2025
In true Ocean’s fashion, the plot is locked in the vault.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 July 2025
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
The White Sox, who have used a hot streak to vault from the second-worst record in baseball to the second-worst record in baseball, made just two deals in the last two days.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
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Noun
Most of the committee’s work was done in a secure records vault at CIA Headquarters.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2025
In true Ocean’s fashion, the plot is locked in the vault.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 July 2025
Verb
The 37-year-old, who entered the week ranked 101st in the FedEx Cup standings, closed his opening round with three straight birdies at Sedgefield Country Club, vaulting to the top of the leaderboard ahead of Alex Noren.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
The White Sox, who have used a hot streak to vault from the second-worst record in baseball to the second-worst record in baseball, made just two deals in the last two days.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 Aug. 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 5 Aug. 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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