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
Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
The mart is launching what will become a series of dinner events where one vendor will be selected to invite up to 16 people for an intimate dinner in the Bosch/Thermador Gaggenau showroom, located in the historic vault of the Merchandise Mart National Bank, established in 1930.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
Kelly Evans, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
Now with Suarez and fellow newcomers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo on board, the Red Sox rotation should vault into the game’s elite.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vault
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Noun
The company’s use of Swiss vaults to hold its approximately 140 tons of gold—which backs its gold token but also forms part of its own treasury—coincides with a record precious metals rally.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
The mart is launching what will become a series of dinner events where one vendor will be selected to invite up to 16 people for an intimate dinner in the Bosch/Thermador Gaggenau showroom, located in the historic vault of the Merchandise Mart National Bank, established in 1930.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
While four different companies have crossed above that mark (first Nvidia last July, then Microsoft, then Apple in October, and now Google/Alphabet), Microsoft and Apple are since down sharply as Google has vaulted into second place behind Nvidia.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
Now with Suarez and fellow newcomers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo on board, the Red Sox rotation should vault into the game’s elite.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 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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