noun
tank
TANGK
noun
1
A large container built to hold a liquid or gas.
"The fish tank needed cleaning after months of neglect."
"They filled the water tank before the drought season began."
2
A heavy armoured military vehicle that moves on tracks and carries powerful weapons.
"A line of tanks rolled across the border at dawn."
verb
1
To fail suddenly and badly, especially used of an economy, market, or performance.
"Shares in the company tanked after the scandal broke."
"His confidence tanked the moment he walked into the interview."
2
In team games, to deliberately draw an opponent's attacks so teammates can act more safely.
"She tanked the boss fight while the rest of the group dealt damage."
3
To deliberately lose a game or match on purpose, usually for some future advantage.
"Fans accused the team of tanking the season to get a better draft pick."
How to Use Tank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA container for liquid or gas, an armoured combat vehicle, or (informally) to fail badly or lose on purpose.
Common pairings
tank the economy
fuel tank
army tank
tank a match
Word Forms
tanked past tense, tanks plural, tanks singular
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Etymology
From Portuguese tanque ("reservoir, container"), itself borrowed from an Indian language word for a cistern. The armoured-vehicle sense began in 1915 as a deliberate cover story — early prototypes were called "tanks" so they would be mistaken for water carriers.