noun
tanker
TANG-kuh
noun
1
A large ship, truck, or aircraft built to carry and transport a bulk liquid such as oil, fuel, or water.
"An oil tanker ran aground off the coast, spilling crude into the bay."
"A fuel tanker refuelled the fighter jets mid-flight."
How to Use Tanker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAny vehicle, ship, or aircraft designed to carry large amounts of liquid, especially fuel or oil.
Common pairings
oil tanker
fuel tanker
tanker truck
Word Forms
tankered past tense, tankers plural, tankers singular
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An oil _____ ran aground off the coast, spilling crude into the bay.
Etymology
Formed from tank plus the agent suffix -er, describing a vehicle or vessel built around a tank.