tank

1 of 2

noun

1
: a usually large receptacle for holding, transporting, or storing liquids (such as water or fuel)
2
: an enclosed heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on tracks
3
4
dialect : pond, pool
especially : one built as a water supply
5
: a prison cell or enclosure used especially for receiving prisoners
tankful noun
tanklike adjective

tank

2 of 2

verb

tanked; tanking; tanks

transitive verb

1
: to make no effort to win : lose intentionally
tanked the match
2
: to place, store, or treat in a tank

intransitive verb

1
: to lose intentionally : give up in competition
2
: to suffer rapid decline, failure, or collapse
bought a stock that quickly tanked
Phrases
in the tank or into the tank
: in or into a decline or slump
the sullen student's grades went into the tank

Examples of tank in a Sentence

Verb Some people say she deliberately tanked the match. Some people have accused her of tanking.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In the meantime, however, the robovac delivers plenty of suction power, a spacious dustbin, and a 240ml water tank that allows this robot to also mop your floors. Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024 The moon’s clash with Neptune tanks your self-esteem. USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Overnight, a cold front brought storms to parts of southern Wisconsin and will tank temperatures in Milwaukee from an unseasonably warm afternoon high of 77 degrees Wednesday afternoon to the low 50s Thursday afternoon. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024 Since most consumers don’t feel like repainting their home every year, leaning too far into today’s 15-minute trends can tank a brand’s color credibility while leaving their customers cringing with regret. Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tank 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Portuguese tanque, alteration of estanque, from estancar to stanch, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *stanticare — more at stanch

First Known Use

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1863, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tank was in 1609

Dictionary Entries Near tank

Cite this Entry

“Tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tank. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tank

1 of 2 noun
1
: a usually large container for holding, transporting, or storing liquids
2
: an enclosed heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on beltlike tracks

tank

2 of 2 verb
: to place, store, or treat in a tank

More from Merriam-Webster on tank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!