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
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Offload expiring deals and build up a vault of draft capital to build with in the offseason.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Pine Creek’s three losses are also to current Post Preps Top 10 teams, and the Eagles have work to do in order to vault back into the top 8 of the CHSAA seeding index and earn a first-round bye.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vault
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Noun
After the robbery, the Louvre has since transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France's most secure vault in Paris, the BBC reported.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Offload expiring deals and build up a vault of draft capital to build with in the offseason.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Rebels have a slightly better resume than the Commodores, whose win against Missouri vaults them into the field this week.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Pine Creek’s three losses are also to current Post Preps Top 10 teams, and the Eagles have work to do in order to vault back into the top 8 of the CHSAA seeding index and earn a first-round bye.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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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