tank
TANGK
Tank (noun) means a large container built to hold a liquid or gas. Example: “The fish tank needed cleaning after months of neglect.”
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."
"The petrol tank was almost empty when we reached the village."
2
A heavy armoured military vehicle that moves on tracks and carries powerful weapons.
"A line of tanks rolled across the border at dawn."
"The museum has an old tank from a past war on display."
"Children climbed on the tank in the museum garden to look inside."
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."
"The film tanked at the box office and was soon forgotten."
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."
"Our knight character tanks the dragon's fire so the healers can stay safe."
"If nobody tanks, the enemy will go straight for the weakest player."
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."
"The coach denied that his players were tanking the last few games."
"Some teams tank on purpose to improve their position for next year."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- tanks
- Third person singular
- tanks
- Past tense
- tanked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fish _____ needed cleaning after months of neglect.
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.
Class of 1915
tank joined the language around 1915.
See the full Class of 1915 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tank
See all rhymes for 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.
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