vehicle

noun

ve·​hi·​cle ˈvē-ə-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio)
also
ˈvē-ˌhi-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio)
Synonyms of vehiclenext
1
: a means of carrying or transporting something
planes, trains, and other vehicles
: such as
a
: motor vehicle
b
: a piece of mechanized equipment
2
: an agent of transmission : carrier
3
: a medium through which something is expressed, achieved, or displayed
an investment vehicle
especially : a work created especially to display the talents of a particular performer
4
a
: an inert medium (such as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent is administered
b
: any of various media acting usually as solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients or pigments

Synonyms of vehicle

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Examples of vehicle in a Sentence

cars, trucks, and other vehicles The vehicle's driver was severely injured in the crash. Have you seen his new car? It's a fine-looking vehicle. Water and insects can be vehicles of infection. art as a vehicle for self-expression Words and pictures are vehicles of communication. These big-budget movies are star vehicles for well-known actors.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Spacecraft could one day change their shape after reaching orbit, allowing operators to add capabilities without launching an entirely new vehicle. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 The eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 in Tarrant County are shut down Wednesday afternoon after a single-vehicle crash that killed one person, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026 As more EVs enter the used car market, buyers with a budget of around $25,000 can now find newer electric SUVs that offer the benefits of gas-free motoring without the eye-watering price tags attached to many new electric vehicles. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Police say golf carts are not considered low-speed vehicles, which are regulated under the Department of Transportation. — Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vehicle

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French véhicule, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin vehiculum "medium, agent of transmission," going back to Latin, "wheeled vehicle, means of transport," from vehere "to carry, convey" + -culum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at way entry 1

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vehicle was in 1612

Phrases Containing vehicle

Browse Nearby Words

vehement
vehicle
vehicular
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vehicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vehicle. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vehicle

noun
ve·​hi·​cle ˈvē-ˌ(h)ik-əl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) ˈvē-ə-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio)
1
: a means by which something is passed along, expressed, achieved, or shown
movies are vehicles of ideas
2
: something used to transport persons or goods
a space vehicle

Medical Definition

vehicle

noun
ve·​hi·​cle ˈvē-ˌ(h)ik-əl How to pronounce vehicle (audio) ˈvē-ə-kəl How to pronounce vehicle (audio)
1
: an inert medium in which a medicinally active agent is administered
2
: an agent of transmission
a vehicle of infection

More from Merriam-Webster on vehicle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vehicle

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