Word
VAT
Phoneticsvat
US/ˈvæt/
UK/vˈæt/
Definitions
01tax
n. Stands for Value Added Tax. A type of tax you pay when you buy goods or services.
n. Abbreviation for Value Added Tax. An indirect tax on the consumption of goods and services, usually collected at each stage of the supply chain.
“The price of the new laptop includes VAT at the standard rate.”
“Small business owners must register for VAT once their annual turnover exceeds the specific threshold set by the government.”
British English
Usage
Usually written in capital letters; often used as an uncountable noun.
Teaching tip
While 'VAT' is the standard term in the UK and EU, American English speakers typically use 'sales tax' for a similar concept.
Synonyms
02large container
n. a very large tank or tub used for holding or mixing liquids, especially in a factory.
n. a large vessel, cistern, or tub used for holding, mixing, or storing liquids during industrial processes like brewing or tanning.
“The wine was aged in a giant oak vat for several months.”
“Workers monitored the temperature of the chemical vat to ensure the dye bonded correctly with the fabric.”
Technical
Usage
Often used in the context of brewing, winemaking, or chemical manufacturing.
03to store in a tank
v. to put or store a liquid in a large industrial container.
v. to place or treat a liquid within a large industrial vessel, often for the purpose of blending or aging.
“The distillery will vat the whiskey before it is bottled for sale.”
“The master blender decided to vat the different vintages together to achieve a more consistent flavor profile.”
Technical · Formal
Real-World Examples
“VAT will be cut on electricity bills in October.” “It has also cut business rates for pubs and axed VAT from electricity bills.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/vat