bank
Bank (noun) means a financial institution that holds deposits, lends money, and manages other financial services. Example: “I need to visit the bank to sort out my mortgage.”
How to use bank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a place that holds and lends money, but also the sloped edge of a river, or the act of a vehicle tilting into a turn.
"Bank on something" (meaning to rely on it) is a separate idiom from the financial sense — don't confuse the two.
Word forms
banked past tense, banked past tense, banked past tense, banks plural, banks plural, banks plural, banks plural, Banks plural, banks singular, banks singular, banks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I need to visit the _____ to sort out my mortgage.
Etymology
From Italian banca, "bench" or "counter" — early moneylenders in Italy conducted business at a bench in the marketplace, and the word carried over directly into English for the institution itself.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bank
See all rhymes for bank →Frequently asked questions
What does “bank” mean?
The word “bank” means a financial institution that holds deposits, lends money, and manages other financial services. In plain terms, most often a place that holds and lends money, but also the sloped edge of a river, or the act of a vehicle tilting into a turn.
How do you pronounce “bank”?
“Bank” is pronounced BANGK (/ˈbæŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “bank” in a sentence?
Here is “bank” used in a sentence: “I need to visit the bank to sort out my mortgage.”
What part of speech is “bank”?
Depending on how it is used, “bank” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bank” come from?
The word “bank” comes from Italian. From Italian banca, "bench" or "counter" — early moneylenders in Italy conducted business at a bench in the marketplace, and the word carried over directly into English for the institution itself.
Is “bank” a common word?
“Bank” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “bank” have?
“Bank” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a financial institution that holds deposits, lends money, and manages other financial services.
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union?
Both hold deposits and lend money, but a bank is a for-profit business owned by shareholders, while a credit union is a not-for-profit owned by its members. Banks aim to earn profit for investors; credit unions return value to members through better rates and lower fees. Banks are usually larger with wider services.
What are the main types of bank?
There are several kinds. Retail or commercial banks serve the public and businesses with accounts, loans, and cards. Investment banks help companies raise money and trade on financial markets. Central banks, such as the Bank of England, are run by governments to manage a nation's currency, interest rates, and overall financial stability.
How do banks make money?
Banks earn largely on the gap between interest rates. They pay savers a small amount of interest on deposits, then lend that money to borrowers at a higher rate, keeping the difference. They also charge fees for services such as accounts, cards, and overdrafts, and earn from investments and currency exchange.
Does the word 'bank' have other meanings?
Yes, 'bank' is a homonym with unrelated senses. Besides the financial institution, it means the raised ground along the sides of a river or lake. As a verb, to bank can mean to tilt an aircraft into a turn, or to pile something up, as with a bank of clouds or snow.
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