van
1
[ van ]
/ væn /
noun
the foremost or front division of an army, a fleet, or any group leading an advance or in position to lead an advance.
those who are in the forefront of a movement or the like.
the forefront in any movement, course of progress, or the like.
Origin of van
1
First recorded in 1600–10; short for
vanguard
Words nearby van
Definition for van (2 of 5)
van
2
[ van ]
/ væn /
noun
a covered vehicle, usually a large truck or trailer, used for moving furniture, goods, animals, etc.
a smaller boxlike vehicle that resembles a panel truck, often has double doors both at the rear and along the curb side, and that can be used as a truck, fitted with rows of seats, or equipped with living quarters for traveling and camping.
British.
- a railway baggage car.
- a covered, boxlike railway car, as one used to carry freight.
- a small, horse-drawn wagon or a small truck, as one used by tradespeople to carry light goods.
Also called van conversion.
a conventional van whose cargo area has been equipped with living facilities, extra windows, and often increased headroom.
verb (used with object), vanned, van·ning.
to transport or carry (freight, passengers, etc.) in a van.
verb (used without object), vanned, van·ning.
to travel in a van.
Origin of van
2
First recorded in 1820–30; short for
caravan
Definition for van (3 of 5)
van
3
[ van; Dutch vahn ]
/ væn; Dutch vɑn /
preposition (often initial capital letter)
from; of (used in Dutch personal names, originally to indicate place of origin).
Origin of van
3
From Dutch
Definition for van (4 of 5)
van
4
[ van ]
/ væn /
noun
a wing.
Origin of van
4
1400–50;late Middle English, variant of
fan1
Definition for van (5 of 5)
Van
[ van; for 1, 2 also Turkish vahn ]
/ væn; for 1, 2 also Turkish vɑn /
noun
Lake,
a salt lake in E Turkey. 1454 sq. mi. (3766 sq. km).
a town on this lake.
a male given name.
Example sentences from the Web for van
British Dictionary definitions for van (1 of 5)
van
1
/ (væn) /
noun
short for caravan (def. 1)
a covered motor vehicle for transporting goods, etc, by road
British
a closed railway wagon in which the guard travels, for transporting goods, mail, etc
British See delivery van
British Dictionary definitions for van (2 of 5)
British Dictionary definitions for van (3 of 5)
van
3
/ (væn) /
noun tennis, mainly British
short for advantage (def. 3) Usual US and Canadian word: ad
British Dictionary definitions for van (4 of 5)
Word Origin for van
C17: variant of
fan
1
British Dictionary definitions for van (5 of 5)
Van
/ (vɑːn) /
noun
a city in E Turkey, on Lake Van. Pop: 377 000 (2005 est)
Lake Van
a salt lake in E Turkey, at an altitude of 1650 m (5400 ft): fed by melting snow and glaciers. Area: 3737 sq km (1433 sq miles)