Vault
/vɔːlt/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a vault is a secure room or space, often underground, where important or valuable items like money, documents, or treasures are kept safe. As a verb, vault means to jump or leap over something quickly, often using your hands or a pole to help you.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Noun: A strong, secure room or space for valuables
- •The bank keeps its money in a large vault.
- •The museum has a vault to protect rare paintings.
- •He stored his important papers in a fireproof vault.
Verb: To jump over something quickly using hands or a pole
- •She vaulted over the fence to escape.
- •The gymnast vaulted over the horse with great skill.
- •He vaulted across the puddle to avoid getting wet.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "vault" like "safe" (A1 word) for noun, but much stronger and often underground, like a treasure box for big things.
- ✓Picture a big metal door in a bank that keeps money safe inside a dark, quiet room.
- ✓It's the feeling of safety and protection when you know your important things are locked away.
- ✓Sounds like "vault" → imagine a strong wall or door that you can't break, or a quick jump over a fence.
- ✓For the verb, think of a gymnast or athlete jumping over a bar or wall quickly and smoothly.
- ✓NOT like "box" (simple container), a vault is very strong and secure.
- ✓NOT like "jump" (just moving up), vault means jumping over something using hands or tools.
- ✓NOT like "safe" (can be small), a vault is often a whole room or big space.
- ✓NOT like "climb" (going up slowly), vault is a quick, energetic leap over.
Try Other Words
- •Strongroom: a secure room for valuables (Use when emphasizing the room is very strong and secure)
- •Jump over: to leap across something (Use when describing the action simply without using "vault")
- •Leap: to jump a long distance (Use when the jump is energetic but without using hands or poles)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (No clear parts; "vault" is a full root word)
- •Etymology: From Old French "volte" meaning "turn, leap," from Latin "volta" meaning "a turn or arch"
- •Historical development: Originally related to arches and turning movements, later used for secure rooms shaped like arches and for jumping actions
- •Modern usage: Used as a noun for secure storage rooms and as a verb for jumping over obstacles quickly
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of a vault as a secure place change your view of safety and protection?
•Can you think of situations where "vault" as a verb is better than just saying "jump"?
Fill in the blanks
1.The bank's vault is ___ with heavy metal doors to keep money ___.
2.She vaulted over the wall ___ using her hands to push off.
3.Unlike a normal jump, to vault means you ___ over something using your hands or a tool.
4.The museum's vault protects paintings from ___ and theft.
5.Athletes often practice vaulting to improve their ___ and speed.
6.When the alarm sounded, he quickly vaulted ___ the fence to escape danger.
7.A vault is much stronger than a regular safe because it is often ___ or underground.