vehicle

vehicle — noun

1. a machine with a motor and wheels, for example a car, bus, or truck, that people

1.名詞A2
釋義

a machine with a motor and wheels, for example a car, bus, or truck, that people ride in to travel or to carry their things to another place

例句

Felix parked his vehicle in the underground garage near the office.

parked his vehicle: used for where a car is kept

Hundreds of vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam on the main highway.

plural: hundreds of vehicles in traffic situations

同義詞
  • car

    the most common personal vehicle for 4-5 passengers; narrower than vehicle

  • automobile

    formal or technical term for a car; far less common in everyday speech

  • truck

    a large vehicle for carrying goods, not passengers

  • van

    a box-shaped vehicle for carrying groups of people or cargo

文法句型

a vehicle

vehicle + for + purpose

vehicle + of + type

in/on + a vehicle

用法筆記

Vehicle is a general term that covers cars, trucks, vans, buses, and motorcycles. When the context is clear, speakers often prefer a more specific word such as car or truck.

常見錯誤

❌She drives a vehicle named Toyota Corolla.
✅She drives a Toyota Corolla.
💡Use car (not vehicle) when referring to a specific make or model.
❌I saw a strange vehicle walking down the street.
✅I saw a strange vehicle driving down the street.
💡Vehicles are driven, not walked.

2. something that is used as a way to communicate ideas, feelings, or messages, or

2.名詞B2
釋義

something that is used as a way to communicate ideas, feelings, or messages, or as a means to achieve a particular result — for example, using art to express political views, or sport to teach values

例句

Art can be a powerful vehicle for social change and political protest.

vehicle for [purpose/change]

The internet has become the main vehicle for spreading news and information.

同義詞
  • medium

    more specific to artistic or creative expression; vehicle can also refer to practical goals

  • channel

    focuses on the path through which something flows (e.g. a channel for information)

  • instrument

    stresses the tool-like, practical function of achieving something

  • tool

    more concrete and hands-on than vehicle; less metaphorical

文法句型

a vehicle + for + noun phrase

a vehicle + to-infinitive

serve as a vehicle

become a vehicle

用法筆記

Frequently followed by the preposition for (a vehicle for change) or by a to-infinitive (a vehicle to promote). Uncommon in informal conversation — it belongs more to writing and public speech.

常見錯誤

❌Language is a vehicle of communication.
✅Language is a vehicle for communication.
💡In this sense, vehicle is almost always followed by for or to, not of.
❌Music is a transportation for emotions.
✅Music is a vehicle for emotions.
💡Do not confuse the abstract sense with the transport sense by using transportation.

3. a film, TV show, play, or song that is designed mainly to highlight the particul

3.名詞C1
釋義

a film, TV show, play, or song that is designed mainly to highlight the particular talents of a single performer or artist

例句

The director wrote the film as a vehicle for the famous singer's acting debut.

vehicle for [performer]: designed to showcase talent

This Broadway musical is a perfect vehicle for a performer who sings and dances.

同義詞
  • showcase

    a more general term; a showcase is the event itself, while a vehicle is the work designed for it

  • star vehicle

    an idiomatic expression exactly matching this sense; used in film criticism

文法句型

a vehicle + for + performer

a vehicle + to showcase

vehicle + for + talent/ability/skill

用法筆記

Almost always followed by for + performer or talent. This sense is specific to the entertainment industry and is not used for everyday activities.

常見錯誤

❌This book is a vehicle for the author's writing.
✅This book showcases the author's writing.
💡Showcase vehicle typically refers to film, TV, theatre, or music, not books.
❌The training program is a vehicle for the coach's methods.
✅The training program was not written as an entertainment vehicle for the coach.
💡The original was identical; changed to show the correct usage of the entertainment sense.