tank
tank Lexical Profile
tank Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large receptacle, container, or storage chamber, especially designed for holding liquids or gases.
"The industrial facility installed a massive steel tank to store treated water."
A heavy, armored fighting vehicle moving on continuous metal tracks and equipped with a large gun.
"The museum displayed a restored World War II tank that had seen action in North Africa."
A glass enclosure or artificial pool used for keeping and displaying fish and other aquatic life; an aquarium.
"She spent hours cleaning the glass of her large saltwater fish tank."
• verb
To fail completely or experience a rapid and steep decline in value, success, or performance (used informally).
"The company's stock tanked after the unexpected resignation of its chief executive officer."
To deliberately lose a match, game, or season in order to gain a future competitive advantage, such as a favorable draft pick.
"Critics accused the basketball team of tanking the remainder of the season to secure the top college prospect."
To fill a vehicle's receptacle with fuel or liquid, often followed by 'up'.
"We need to tank up before we hit the highway for the long road trip."
• Rhymes for tank
Word Origin & Etymology
Originally derived from Gujarati 'tānkh' (underground cistern) or Marathi 'tāṅkē', entering English in the 17th century to describe pools or reservoirs in India. The military sense arose during World War I when the British army used 'tank' as a deceptive code name to disguise the shipment of their new armored combat vehicles as water receptacles.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.