tank Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: idiomsAH Idiom Dictionary
tank definition

tank (taŋk)

noun

  1. Archaic in India, a natural or artificial pool or pond used for water storage
  2. any large container for liquid or gas a gasoline tank, a swimming tank
    1. tank top
    2. tank suit

  4. Etymology: name orig. used for purpose of secrecy during manufacture

    a heavily armored, self-propelled combat vehicle armed with guns and moving on full tractor treads
  5. ☆ Slang a jail cell, esp. one for new prisoners charged with misdemeanors

Etymology: tanksense < Gujarati tānkh; other senses < or infl. by Sp & Port tanque, aphetic < estanque, a pool, stoppage of flow < estancar, to stop the flow of < VL *stanticare, to staunch

transitive verb

  1. to put, store, or process in a tank
  2. Slang to lose (a game, match, etc.) deliberately or due to a lack of effort

intransitive verb

  1. to fail or go into a sharp decline
  2. to lose, esp. as a result of a lack of effort
tank Idioms

go in the tank

☆
☆ Slang to lose or fail badly or on purpose

tank up

Informal
  1. to supply with or get a full tank of fuel
  2. ☆ to drink much liquor

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms tank idiom

tank Synonyms

tank

n.

  1. A large container for liquids

    tub, basin, cistern, receptacle, vat, cauldron, keg, vessel, cask, tun; see also container.

  2. An armored caterpillar vehicle].

    Types of tanks include: light, medium, heavy, radio-controlled, Goliath, Mark IV, Mark V, Mark VI, M-3, M-4, Abrams M-1, Armstrong-Vickers, Royal Tiger, T-34 (Russian), Königstiger (German), Hunting Panther, Panzer, General Grant*, General Sherman*, General Pershing*, land cruiser*, doodle-bug*;


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tank Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • think: Think tanks are there to frame debates, to make sure the right questions are being asked.

Adjective modifier

  • septic: How often a septic tank needs to be emptied depends upon a number of factors.

Modifies a noun

  • locomotive: The display includes three Shays, a Climax, and two small tank locomotives.

Noun used with modifier

  • saddle: Narrow gage saddle tank No.2 of the mining company heads away from the quarry with a rake of tippler wagons.

Used with why or when

  • whose: Reform is an independent, non-party think tank whose mission is to set out a better way to deliver public services and economic prosperity.

Preposition: of

  • gasoline: The champagne socialists are now the ones with a full tank of gasoline.
tank usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

tank quotes

I'd like to see aTank come down the stalls, Lurching to rag-time tunes, or 'Home sweet Home',ö And there'd be no more jokes in Music-halls To mock the riddled corpses round Bapaume.

-Sassoon, Siegfried Louvain

tank quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"tank." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/tank>

APA Style

tank. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/tank

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment