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

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
The tanks were drained last year, but Baehr told CBS News in 2023 that the military didn't do much to help individual families. CBS News, 9 May 2025 The style is quite versatile; half-tuck a top into it, pull on a cropped tank and cardigan, and finish the look with loafers, kitten heels, or fisherman sandals. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 9 May 2025
Verb
Construction of single-family homes gained some ground last year, but building permits for multi-family housing began tanking in St. Paul even before neighboring cities. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025 To be even more fair, her trust in Nick singlehandedly got lots of women killed and tanked Mayday’s biggest operation yet. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tank. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

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
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