vacuum cleaner

3 definitions found

vacuum cleaner - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vacuum cleaner \Vac"u*um clean"er\
     A machine for cleaning carpets, tapestry, upholstered work,
     etc., by suction; -- sometimes called a vacuum.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

  Appliance \Ap*pli"ance\, n.
     1. The act of applying; application.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. subservience; compliance. [Obs.] --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A thing applied or used as a means to an end; an apparatus
        or device; as, to use various appliances; a mechanical
        appliance; a machine with its appliances.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Specifically: An apparatus or device, usually powered
        electrically, used in homes to perform domestic functions.
        An appliance is often categorized as a major appliance or
        a minor appliance by its cost. Common major appliances are
        the refrigerator, washing machine, clothes drier,
        oven, and dishwasher. Some minor appliances are a
        toaster, vacuum cleaner or microwave oven.
        [PJC]

vacuum cleaner - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  vacuum cleaner
      n 1: an electrical home appliance that cleans by suction [syn:
           vacuum, vacuum cleaner]