The term "vacuum cleaner" might seem a bit misleading at first because you might expect it to create a literal vacuum. However, the name is more of a historical artifact from the early days of vacuum cleaner development.
The term "vacuum" in "vacuum cleaner" refers to the method by which the cleaner operates. Early vacuum cleaners used a suction mechanism to draw in air and dust, creating a partial vacuum inside the machine. The suction force created by the vacuum cleaner is what pulls dust and debris from the surfaces being cleaned and into the machine.
Over time, the technology and mechanics behind these machines have evolved, but the name "vacuum cleaner" stuck due to its familiarity and historical context. The word "vacuum" in the name is a reference to the action of creating suction rather than the absence of air, as is typically associated with a true vacuum.
So, in modern vacuum cleaners, there is no actual vacuum in the sense of a complete absence of air. Instead, they use fans and motors to generate airflow and suction, which helps in cleaning dust and dirt from floors and other surfaces.