noun
cistern
SIHS-tuhn
Cistern (noun) means a tank or reservoir used to store water, especially rainwater, for later use. Example: “The old farmhouse still relied on a cistern for its water supply.”
noun
1
A tank or reservoir used to store water, especially rainwater, for later use.
"Cisterns (bôr, bō'r), mentioned frequently in the Bible, are artificial reservoirs, usually cut into bedrock, for collecting and conserving rain runoff from roofs and courtyards."
— Philip J. King, Lawrence E. Stager (2001)
"The old farmhouse still relied on a cistern for its water supply."
"On a broad ledge near the top, we found a stone cabin. Higher up was a cistern and a few more terraces."
— Octavia E. Butler, Part III, Chapter 7 (1989)
2
The container inside a toilet that holds the water used to flush it.
"The cistern had been leaking quietly for months, wasting water."
"It is possible to connect your tank to your toilet cistern and/or garden, so that even if the water is not drinkable it still can be used productively to make major water savings."
— Allan Windust (2003)
How to use cistern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tank that stores water, whether for household supply or inside a toilet.
Common pairings
water cistern
toilet cistern
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Word forms
- Plural
- cisterns
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old farmhouse still relied on a _____ for its water supply.
Etymology
From Old French cisterne, from Latin cisterna, from cista ("box"), from Greek kiste.
Synonyms
View more →
cisterna
water tank
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cistern” mean?
The word “cistern” means a tank or reservoir used to store water, especially rainwater, for later use. In plain terms, a tank that stores water, whether for household supply or inside a toilet.
How do you pronounce “cistern”?
“Cistern” is pronounced SIHS-tuhn (/ˈsɪs.tɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “cistern” in a sentence?
Here is “cistern” used in a sentence: “The old farmhouse still relied on a cistern for its water supply.”
What part of speech is “cistern”?
“Cistern” is a noun.
Where does the word “cistern” come from?
The word “cistern” comes from Latin. From Old French cisterne, from Latin cisterna, from cista ("box"), from Greek kiste.
How many meanings does “cistern” have?
“Cistern” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tank or reservoir used to store water, especially rainwater, for later use.
