van
van Lexical Profile
van Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A medium-sized motor vehicle, typically without side windows in the rear part, used for transporting goods or people.
"They rented a moving van to transport all their furniture to the new apartment."
British A covered railway carriage used for carrying luggage, mail, or freight rather than passengers.
"The guard's van was securely attached to the rear of the freight train before departing the station."
The foremost part of an advancing army, or the forefront of a movement, action, or field.
"The researchers have always been in the van of technological innovation."
• verb
North American To transport goods or animals in a van.
"The prized racehorses were vanned to Kentucky a week before the derby."
• Rhymes for van
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word has two distinct origins. The vehicle sense (early 19th century) is a shortening of 'caravan'. The sense meaning 'forefront' (17th century) is a clipping of 'vanguard', which comes from Old French 'avangarde'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.