English · Daily Life
vacuuming
/ˈvæk.juːm.ɪŋ/
[/ˈvæk.juːm.ɪŋ/]
cleaning with suction
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The act of cleaning floors and carpets using a machine that sucks up dirt.
Example
Vacuuming the stairs was tricky, so he carried the heavy machine carefully up step by step.
Vacuuming the stairs was tricky, so he carried the heavy machine carefully up step by step.
Etymology
From 'vacuum' (Latin 'vacuus', empty); the cleaner was invented around 1900.
How & Where It’s Used
A routine cleaning chore using a vacuum cleaner, also called 'hoovering' in Britain.