Cistern: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in a domestic setting to describe a storage unit for water under a toilet or for rainwater harvesting.

• The plumber fixed the leaking cistern in the bathroom.
• They installed a new cistern to collect rainwater for gardening.

Commonly refers to large natural or artificial lakes used to store water, especially for public water supply, irrigation, or hydroelectric power.

• The city's water comes from a reservoir located in the mountains.
• They are planning to build a new reservoir to prevent future water shortages.

Can refer to large storage units for liquids or gases, used in various contexts including vehicles, fish tanks, and storage for gases or liquids.

• They filled the fuel tank before starting their long journey.
• The fish were swimming happily in the clean tank.

A general term for any object that can hold or store items, widely used in various contexts from domestic to industrial.

• She kept the cookies in a sealed container to keep them fresh.
• The shipping container was loaded onto the truck.

Typically used in older buildings or rural settings to describe a tank for storing water. Often understood to be part of a rainwater harvesting system.

• The old farmhouse had a large cistern in the backyard for collecting rainwater
• After the storm, the cistern was full and ready to provide water for the dry days ahead

Usually refers to a natural or artificial storage space beneath the earth’s surface, often used in the context of geology, hydrology, or large-scale water management systems.

• Scientists are studying the large underground reservoir to understand its capacity and impact on the local water table
• The city relies on an underground reservoir to supply its drinking water during dry spells

Commonly used in both urban and rural areas to describe a well drilled into the ground to access water from underground aquifers, mainly for personal or community use.

• Every morning, she draws water from the well for her family
• The village built a new water well to ensure that every household has access to safe drinking water