tank
14 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tank, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large container built to hold a liquid or gas.
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 tank
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.
Full origin of tank →Frequently asked questions
What does “tank” mean?
The word “tank” means a large container built to hold a liquid or gas. In plain terms, a container for liquid or gas, an armoured combat vehicle, or (informally) to fail badly or lose on purpose.
How do you pronounce “tank”?
“Tank” is pronounced TANGK (/ˈteɪ̯ŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “tank” in a sentence?
Here is “tank” used in a sentence: “The fish tank needed cleaning after months of neglect.”
What part of speech is “tank”?
Depending on how it is used, “tank” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tank” come from?
The word “tank” dates back to around 1915 and comes from Portuguese.
Is “tank” a common word?
“Tank” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tank” have?
“Tank” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large container built to hold a liquid or gas.
What are the types of tanks?
Tanks are named for what they hold or do: water tanks store drinking or rainwater, fuel and gas tanks hold flammable liquids or gases, fish tanks house aquatic life, and septic tanks handle waste. Industrial storage tanks can be huge. Each is shaped and sealed to suit its contents safely.
What is the difference between a tank and a container?
A container is any object that holds something, from a box to a bottle. A tank is a specific, usually large container built to store liquids or gases, often sealed and pressure-resistant. Every tank is a container, but most containers are not tanks. The word implies size and a fluid content.
What is an example of a tank?
A car's fuel tank, a rainwater tank in a garden, a fish tank on a shelf, and a large oil storage tank at a refinery are all examples. Each is a container designed to hold a liquid or gas securely until it is drawn off and used.
Is a military tank the same word?
No, though it is spelled the same. A military tank is an armoured fighting vehicle, named partly because early versions were disguised as water tanks during development. In this dictionary sense, a tank is simply a large container for a liquid or gas, not a vehicle.