reservoir
7 synonyms for reservoir, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A natural or artificial lake used to store water for supply.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use reservoir
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
water reservoir
a reservoir of talent
reservoir levels
Etymology
From French réservoir, "storehouse", from réserver, "to reserve, keep".
Full origin of reservoir →Frequently asked questions
What does “reservoir” mean?
The word “reservoir” means a natural or artificial lake used to store water for supply. In plain terms, a place — literal or figurative — where something is stored up and drawn from as needed.
How do you pronounce “reservoir”?
“Reservoir” is pronounced REHZ-uh-vwah (/ˈɹɛz.ə(ɹ).vwɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “reservoir” in a sentence?
Here is “reservoir” used in a sentence: “The town's drinking water comes from a reservoir in the hills.”
What part of speech is “reservoir”?
“Reservoir” is a noun.
Where does the word “reservoir” come from?
The word “reservoir” comes from French. From French réservoir, "storehouse", from réserver, "to reserve, keep".
Is “reservoir” a common word?
“Reservoir” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reservoir” have?
“Reservoir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a natural or artificial lake used to store water for supply.
What is the difference between a reservoir and a dam?
A dam is the barrier built across a river to hold back water, while a reservoir is the large body of stored water that collects behind it. In short, the dam is the wall and the reservoir is the lake it creates.
What is the difference between a reservoir and a lake?
A lake is usually a natural body of water, while a reservoir is often artificial and made specifically to store water for supply. Some reservoirs are natural lakes adapted for storage, but the word stresses the purpose of holding a supply of water.
