1
a
: a usually enclosed wagon or motortruck used for transportation of goods or animals
also
: caravan sense 2a
b
: a multipurpose enclosed motor vehicle having a boxlike shape, rear or side doors, and side panels often with windows
c
: a detachable passenger cabin transportable by aircraft or truck
2
chiefly British
: an enclosed railroad freight or baggage car
1
dialectal, England
: a winnowing device (such as a fan)
2
Synonyms
Examples of van in a Sentence
Noun (2)
an artist who was in the van of abstract expressionism
a company that is considered by some to be in the van of the latest technology for renewable energy
Recent Examples on the Web
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
The driver stopped the van soon after the vehicle hit the children.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024
Tours offer long and detailed safety information before anyone even sets foot in a van.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
The other vehicle, an Audi, had been following the van and carried the two gunmen.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024
Our fearless leader started the van and gave us all some time to settle in, turning on some music instead.
—Vicki Denig, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2024
Their bodies were found inside their van, which had been doused in gasoline and set on fire.
—Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 4 May 2024
Thanks in part to the enduring popularity of the Microbus, or Type 2 as it’s known to enthusiasts, few companies are more associated with camper vans than VW.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
You're supposed to get in a standing van so your dress didn't wrinkle.
—Tabitha Parent, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
This little Sundance-darling-that-could is as quirky and charming as the yellow Volkswagon van the Hoovers use for their road trip to California.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
Natalee Holloway's Mom Reveals How Joran van der Sloot Killed Her Daughter in 2005 (Exclusive)
Van der Sloot, 36, was temporarily extradited to Alabama in June to face extortion and wire fraud charges in a case connected to Natalee’s 2005 disappearance.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
Noun
But rising gas prices and surging drivers’ insurance rates for his five delivery vans have forced him to increase delivery fees and consider partnering with delivery companies.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
The driver stopped the van soon after the vehicle hit the children.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024
Tours offer long and detailed safety information before anyone even sets foot in a van.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
The other vehicle, an Audi, had been following the van and carried the two gunmen.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024
Our fearless leader started the van and gave us all some time to settle in, turning on some music instead.
—Vicki Denig, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2024
Their bodies were found inside their van, which had been doused in gasoline and set on fire.
—Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 4 May 2024
Thanks in part to the enduring popularity of the Microbus, or Type 2 as it’s known to enthusiasts, few companies are more associated with camper vans than VW.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
You're supposed to get in a standing van so your dress didn't wrinkle.
—Tabitha Parent, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Verb
Many Del Mar trainers stable and train their horses at San Luis Rey Downs, which can handle up to 500 horses, and van them to the track for races.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
This little Sundance-darling-that-could is as quirky and charming as the yellow Volkswagon van the Hoovers use for their road trip to California.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
Natalee Holloway's Mom Reveals How Joran van der Sloot Killed Her Daughter in 2005 (Exclusive)
Van der Sloot, 36, was temporarily extradited to Alabama in June to face extortion and wire fraud charges in a case connected to Natalee’s 2005 disappearance.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'van.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Van.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/van. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
van
2 of 2 noun1
: a usually closed wagon or truck for transporting goods or animals
2
: an enclosed motor vehicle shaped like a box that is used for a variety of purposes and has rear or side doors and side panels often with windows
Etymology
Noun
a shortened form of vanguard
Noun
a shortened form of caravan "vehicle"
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