vehicles

IPA/ˈvɪə.kəl/
KK[vˈihɪkəlz]IPA/ˈviː.ə.kəl/

vehicles — noun

  • vehiclessingular
  • vehiclesesplural

1. A car, bus, truck, or similar machine that runs on roads and is used to carry pe

1.名詞B1
釋義

A car, bus, truck, or similar machine that runs on roads and is used to carry people or goods from one place to another.

例句

Devika parked her vehicle in the underground garage before going to work.

The mechanic checked every part of Justin’s vehicle before the long trip across the country.

同義詞
  • car

    most common specific type; narrower meaning

  • automobile

    formal North American term; same meaning but less frequent in speech

  • conveyance

    very formal or legal term; rarely used in conversation

用法筆記

In everyday conversation, people usually name the specific type (car, bus, lorry) rather than saying vehicle.

常見錯誤

❌I ride my vehicle to school.
✅I ride my bike / take the bus to school.
💡vehicle usually implies a motorised road machine, not a bicycle or scooter.
❌The vehicle ran out of fuel.
✅The car / truck ran out of fuel.
💡vehicle sounds too formal for most everyday situations; use the specific name instead.

2. Something that people use as a way to reach a goal, share an idea, or bring abou

2.名詞B2
釋義

Something that people use as a way to reach a goal, share an idea, or bring about a result — for example, using art to express feelings, or using education to improve your life.

例句

The local newspaper became a vehicle for spreading democratic ideas across the region.

pattern: vehicle for + gerund

Paloma believes that art is a powerful vehicle for expressing emotions that words cannot capture.

同義詞
  • medium

    similar meaning but more general; used for any channel of communication or expression

  • means

    broader term that includes methods, not just channels; often paired with of

  • tool

    more practical and hands-on; less metaphorical than vehicle

文法句型

vehicle for (something)

用法筆記

Frequently followed by for + noun/gerund. The subject is usually an abstract thing (system, platform, activity) rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌I used English as vehicle to get a job.
✅I used English as a vehicle for getting a better job.
💡vehicle needs the article a in this figurative sense.

3. A film, television programme, or live event that is created or chosen mainly to

3.名詞C1
釋義

A film, television programme, or live event that is created or chosen mainly to show what a particular actor, singer, or performer can do with their abilities.

例句

The new action movie is the perfect vehicle for the actor’s impressive stunt work.

collocation: perfect vehicle for

This talent show became a vehicle that launched several young singers onto the music scene.

同義詞
  • showcase

    more direct term; a vehicle is a showcase for a performer’s talents

  • platform

    broader meaning; can refer to any opportunity to reach an audience

用法筆記

Almost always used in the context of show business. The preposition for introduces the performer whose talents are showcased.

4. An object, substance, or living organism that carries a disease or infection and

4.名詞C1
釋義

An object, substance, or living organism that carries a disease or infection and passes it from one person or animal to another.

例句

Contaminated drinking water can be a vehicle for spreading cholera bacteria through a community.

pattern: vehicle for spreading [disease]

The research team identified ticks as a common vehicle for Lyme disease in forested areas.

同義詞
  • carrier

    more common in everyday medical contexts; a person or animal that carries a disease without showing symptoms

  • vector

    technical term in biology; a living thing that transmits infection (e.g., mosquitoes for malaria)

文法句型

vehicle for (disease)

vehicle of (infection)

用法筆記

Common in medical and public-health writing. In everyday speech, people usually say carrier or transmitter instead of vehicle.