—van /væn/
noun (FRONT)
in the van of sth UK FORMAL► F0 at the front, or in the most advanced position, of something: » The US is in the van of the quest to establish contact with other planets.→ SEE ALSO THE VANGUARD(Cf. ↑the vanguard)Thesaurus+: ↑Describing the leading positionnoun (VEHICLE)
B1 [C] a medium-sized road vehicle used especially for carrying goods, which often has no windows in the sides at the back half:
» a delivery van» a Transit van» a van driverThesaurus+: ↑Trucks, vans and caravansF0 [C] US a medium-sized vehicle with windows all round, used for carrying more people than an ordinary car
Thesaurus+: ↑Trucks, vans and caravans• • •
Extra Examples:» There was a series of explosions and the van burst into flames .» The raiders machine-gunned everyone in the bank before escaping in a van.» The sound of the ice-cream van was borne into the office on the wind.» The van drivers refused to cross the picket line .» Do you want help bringing your stuff in from the van?- with every fibre of your being
- with flying colours
- with friends like you, who needs enemies?
- with (gay/wild) abandon
- with gay/wild abandon
- with guns blazing
- withhold
- withholding tax
- with honours
- within
- within limits
- within living memory
- within reason
- within shouting distance
- within striking distance
- within the realms of possibility
- within your memory
- within your rights
- with it
- with knobs on
- with malice aforethought
- with might and main
- with no thought for sth
- with one accord
- with one voice