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tank

/tæŋk/
/tæŋk/
IPA guide

Other forms: tanks; tanked; tanking

A tank is a large container for gases or liquids, like a tank of oil. Another kind of tank is an armored military vehicle with a cannon. If you see that kind of tank driving down the road, run for cover!

There are two main kinds of tanks. One kind is a container for water, oil, natural gas, or other liquids and gases. Some houses have fuel oil tanks outside or in the basement. The other kind of tank is a large powerful military vehicle. A tank — which has a cannon — rolls across the ground on treads and is heavily armored. Those tanks can roll right over cars and anything else they want to squish.

Definitions of tank
  1. noun
    a large (usually metallic) vessel for holding gases or liquids
    synonyms: storage tank
    see moresee less
    types:
    aquarium, fish tank, marine museum
    a tank or pool or bowl filled with water for keeping live fish and underwater animals
    cistern, water tank
    a tank that holds the water used to flush a toilet
    gas holder, gasometer
    a large gas-tight spherical or cylindrical tank for holding gas to be used as fuel
    gas tank, gasoline tank, petrol tank
    a tank for holding gasoline to supply a vehicle
    reservoir
    tank used for collecting and storing a liquid (as water or oil)
    septic tank
    large tank where solid matter or sewage is disintegrated by bacteria
    hot-water heater, hot-water tank, water heater
    a heater and storage tank to supply heated water
    cistern
    an artificial reservoir for storing liquids; especially an underground tank for storing rainwater
    fish bowl, fishbowl, goldfish bowl
    a transparent bowl in which small fish are kept
    sump
    an oil reservoir in an internal combustion engine
    water back
    water heater consisting of a tank or pipes set at the back of a fireplace or in the firebox of a stove
    water tower
    a large reservoir for water
    type of:
    vessel
    an object used as a container (especially for liquids)
  2. noun
    as much as a tank will hold
    synonyms: tankful
    see moresee less
    type of:
    containerful
    the quantity that a container will hold
  3. noun
    a freight car that transports liquids or gases in bulk
    synonyms: tank car
    see moresee less
    type of:
    freight car
    a railway car that carries freight
  4. verb
    store in a tank by causing (something) to flow into it
    see moresee less
    type of:
    store
    find a place for and put away for storage
  5. verb
    treat in a tank
    tank animal refuse”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    process, treat
    subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
  6. verb
    consume excessive amounts of alcohol
    see moresee less
    type of:
    booze, drink, fuddle
    consume alcohol
  7. noun
    an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
    see moresee less
    types:
    panzer
    an armored vehicle or tank
    type of:
    armored vehicle, armoured vehicle
    a vehicle that is protected by armor plate
    military vehicle
    vehicle used by the armed forces
    tracked vehicle
    a self-propelled vehicle that moves on tracks
  8. noun
    a cell for violent prisoners
    synonyms: cooler
    see moresee less
    type of:
    cell, jail cell, prison cell
    a room where a prisoner is kept
Pronunciation
US
/tæŋk/
UK
/tæŋk/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘tank'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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