Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of van noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

 Oxford3000

van

noun
van pronunciation English væn van pronunciation American væn
 
1 a covered vehicle with no side windows in its back half, usually smaller than a lorry/truck, used for carrying goods or peoplea furniture vana police van (= for carrying police officers or prisoners)a delivery vana van driver2 (North American English) a covered vehicle with side windows, usually smaller than a lorry/truck, that can carry about twelve passengers3 (British English) a closed coach/car on a train for carrying bags, cases, etc. or maila luggage van
Idioms

in the van

(British English, formal) at the front or in the leading positionThese artists felt themselves in the van of the movement, true pioneers.