From Latin vacuum 'empty space,' from vacāre 'to be empty' — the same root as vacation and evacuate.
A space entirely devoid of matter; also, a device that cleans by suction.
From Latin vacuum 'empty space,' neuter of vacuus 'empty,' from vacāre 'to be empty.' The word entered English as a physics term. The cleaning appliance sense dates to 1903, short for 'vacuum cleaner,' which works by creating a partial vacuum. Key roots