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
Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
In this model, the seed is not a random number placed inside a stronger vault.
—Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Dooley, meanwhile, is attempting to vault over his more experienced competitors.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vault
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Noun
In the basement, the bank’s former vault now serves as a wine cellar.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
In this model, the seed is not a random number placed inside a stronger vault.
—Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
Sure, any number of piston-engine supercars can vault 30 or 35 mph higher, into the 220s, but how often does that really take place outside a few stretches in Europe or the Middle East?
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Dooley, meanwhile, is attempting to vault over his more experienced competitors.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vault
Cite this Entry
“Vault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vault. Accessed 23 May. 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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