Meaning & Definition of word "Tank"

Tank

/tæŋk/

noun:

  • 1. A large, heavy vehicle, often armed, designed for military operations.
    • Example: The army deployed a tank to the battlefront.
  • 2. A container for holding liquids, such as a water tank or fuel tank.
    • Example: We need to refill the water tank before the summer.
  • 3. An artificial environment for aquatic animals or plants, typically made of glass.
    • Example: She has a beautiful fish tank in her living room.

verb:

  • 1. To store liquid in a tank or to put something into a tank.
    • Example: We need to tank the fuel before the trip.
  • 2. To fail or perform poorly, especially in a competition.
    • Example: The team really tanked their performance this season.

Etymology

From late Middle English, from tank ('cask, barrel', from Old French 'tanque', of uncertain origin).

Common Phrases and Expressions

tank up:

To fill up a fuel tank or to consume a large amount of food/drink.

in the tank:

Referring to something being in a depleted state.

tank you:

A playful misspelling of 'thank you'.

Related Words

fuel tank:

A container used to hold fuel.

fish tank:

A transparent container for keeping fish.

Slang Meanings of tank

Meaning: To fail or perform poorly.

Example Sentence: The stock market really tanked this week.

Meaning: To consume large quantities of food or drink.

Example Sentence: We went to the buffet and just tanked.