vault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vault" can be correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used when referring to a secure room or compartment for storing valuables, or in a metaphorical sense to indicate a high level of achievement or elevation. Example: "The ancient treasure was hidden deep within the vault, protected by intricate locks and traps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Built in 1890 by Robert Walker in Portland stone and listed by English Heritage as a site of special historical and architectural interest, the property boasts a penthouse suite with aerial views of the capital, dozens of rooms, spaces for entertaining, and a secure vault in the basement.

The Guardian

Lincoln, too, will play a key part in the celebrations – the £22m Lincoln Castle Revealed project opens in April, with a new vault to display its own copy of the Magna Carta.

The Guardian - Travel

One box holder said a security guard had told him that the thieves "didn't break in through the vault door, but got in through the wall next to the vault door".

The Guardian

Only last week, the Canadian company snapped up the operations and intellectual property of Goldmoney.com, agreeing to pay approximately $49m not only for the latter's gold vault storage business, but also for its toehold operating in the United States.

The Guardian - Money

Davies left the UK for the US in the mid-80s and decided to put all his work for the NME and The Face magazine into a vault, leave it for decades and see if it had any cultural relevance when he returned to it.

The Guardian - Arts

In the women's pole vault Yelena Isinbayeva suffered her first defeat at a major event in six years as Anna Rogowska of Poland won by default, taking fewer attempts to clear 4.68m.

The Guardian - Sport

Exact details of how the gang members accessed the vault have not been revealed.

The Guardian

Bryant came unstuck in the high jump yesterday and was well out of medal contention but nevertheless posted a outdoor personal best in the pole vault and a season's best in the javelin as he finished 15th overall.

The Guardian - Sport

Women's pole vault final, 7pm Britain's best gymnast, Beth Tweddle ▲, is in the final of the uneven bars, and there will be familiar names in the velodrome as Team GB go for gold in the men's and women's sprint.

The Guardian - Sport

It is thought that they then forced open shutter doors and used a drill to bore a hole 50cm deep, 25cm high and 45cm wide into the vault wall.

The Guardian

Police have offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of all those involved in the raid and have released images of the Hilti DD350 drill that was used to bore a hole into the vault wall.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vault" metaphorically to describe a sudden, significant rise or advancement, as in "The company's stock price vaulted after the announcement".

Common error

Avoid confusing "vault", which refers to a secure storage space or a type of jump, with "volt", the unit of electrical potential. Proofread carefully to ensure you've used the correct term in the context.

Linguistic Context

The word "vault" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a secure room for storing valuables or an arched structure. It also functions as a verb, meaning to jump or leap over something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

14%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Arts

4%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "vault" is a versatile word functioning as both a noun and a verb, commonly used to describe secure storage spaces or the act of jumping over something. Ludwig AI's analysis, reinforced by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, confirms its correct grammatical standing and frequent usage. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Sport contexts. When using "vault", ensure clarity by specifying the type of vault if necessary (e.g. "bank vault", "family vault"). Avoid confusion with "volt", the unit of electrical potential. Ludwig AI also provides helpful examples for using "vault" in various sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

safe deposit box

Focuses specifically on the individual storage unit within a larger secure facility, emphasizing the private and secure nature of its contents.

strong room

Highlights the reinforced construction and security aspect of a room designed to protect valuables.

secure storage

Emphasizes the action of storing something safely and the location where it is stored can vary.

jump over

Focuses on the physical act of leaping over an obstacle, similar to the verb form of "vault".

leap across

Highlights the distance covered in a jump, implying a more significant movement than a simple "jump".

spring over

Suggests a quick, energetic jump or leap.

archway

Describes the architectural structure of an arched space, similar to the structural meaning of "vault".

crypt

Refers specifically to an underground chamber, often for burial purposes, highlighting the underground aspect of some vaults.

storage facility

Focuses on the broader concept of a place designed for storing items, without specifying the level of security.

catacomb

Emphasizes a network of underground tunnels and chambers, typically used for burial.

FAQs

How is "vault" used as a verb?

As a verb, "vault" means to jump or leap over something, often using hands or a pole for support. For example: "The athlete "vaulted over" the hurdle with ease."

What are some synonyms for "vault" when referring to a secure storage space?

When referring to a secure storage space, synonyms for "vault" include "safe", "strongroom", and "repository". The best choice depends on the specific context and the type of storage being described.

Which is correct, "bank vault" or "bank's vault"?

"Bank vault" is generally preferred as a compound noun, while "bank's vault" is also grammatically correct but places more emphasis on the bank's ownership. Both are valid depending on the desired nuance.

Can "vault" be used metaphorically, and if so, how?

Yes, "vault" can be used metaphorically to describe a sudden and significant increase or advancement. For example: "The discovery "vaulted her career" to new heights."