van: Meaning and Definition of

van

Pronunciation: (van), [key]
— n.
  1. the foremost or front division of an army, a fleet, or any group leading an advance or in position to lead an advance.
  2. those who are in the forefront of a movement or the like.
  3. the forefront in any movement, course of progress, or the like.

van

Pronunciation: (van), [key]
— n., v., vanned, van•ning.
—n.
  1. a covered vehicle, usually a large truck or trailer, used for moving furniture, goods, animals, etc.
  2. 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.
    1. a railway baggage car.
    2. a covered, boxlike railway car, as one used to carry freight.
    3. a small, horse-drawn wagon or a small truck, as one used by tradespeople to carry light goods.
  3. Also calleda conventional van whose cargo area has been equipped with living facilities, extra windows, and often increased headroom.
—v.t.
  1. to transport or carry (freight, passengers, etc.) in a van.
—v.i.
  1. to travel in a van.

van

Pronunciation: (van Du. vän), [key]
— prep.
  1. from; of (used in Dutch personal names, originally to indicate place of origin).

van

Pronunciation: (van), [key]
— n.
  1. a wing.

Van

Pronunciation: (van for 1, 2 also Turk. vän), [key]
— n.
  1. a salt lake in E Turkey. 1454 sq. mi. (3766 sq. km).
  2. a town on this lake. 88,597.
  3. a male given name.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • van (Thesaurus)