an electron tube from which the air has been evacuated to the highest possible degree
vacuum tube in American English
noun
1. Also calledesp Britvacuum valve
an electron tube from which almost all air or gas has been evacuated: formerly used extensively in radio and electronics
2.
a sealed glass tube with electrodes and a partial vacuum or a highly rarefied gas, used to observe the effects of a discharge of electricity passed through it
Word origin
[1775–85]This word is first recorded in the period 1775–85. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: amateur, backup, cabriole, flashing, waltz
Examples of 'vacuum tube' in a sentence
vacuum tube
His childhood was otherwise as empty as a vacuum tube.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
All the songs were recorded in a vacuum tube for maximum resonance.
The Sun (2008)
And unlike the vacuum tube, the spaceship thing is actually happening.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The panel sits in a vacuum tube that maximises the collection of solar rays and is able to store the energy gathered.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It already generates some electricity through solar photovoltaic panels as well as a wind turbine, and makes renewable heat through vacuum tube technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The key to getting the pods moving at such high velocities is the vacuum tube, which simulates the thin atmosphere 20 miles above earth.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We did not get better computers by mass-producing subsidised vacuum tubes.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The vacuum tubes have low thermal losses and will produce energy regardless of the climate they operate in.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Waste will be dropped into chutes and carried to a processing centre in underground vacuum tubes at speeds of up to 44mph.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
There are robots, some with mechanical hands, others with vacuum tubes, that could conceivably do the plucking.