Cistern: meaning, definitions and examples

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cistern

[ˈsɪstərn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

water storage

A cistern is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often used for collecting and storing rainwater.

Synonyms

container, reservoir, tank.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cistern	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.
reservoir	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.
tank	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.
container	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.

Examples of usage

Ancient civilizations used cisterns to store water for dry seasons.
The cistern in the backyard collects rainwater for gardening purposes.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

history

In ancient times, a cistern was an underground reservoir or well for collecting and storing water.

Synonyms

underground reservoir, water well.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cistern	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
underground reservoir	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
water well	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

Word

Description / Examples

cistern

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

underground reservoir

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

water well

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

Examples of usage

The Romans built elaborate cisterns to supply water to their cities.
The cisterns in the desert regions were crucial for survival.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'cistern' comes from the Latin word 'cisterna', meaning a reservoir or storage area for liquids.
Related to the word 'cisternae', it initially referred to basins used in Roman aqueducts for collecting and storing water.
In architecture, cisterns have been built since ancient times to supply water for communities and agriculture.

History

Ancient civilizations, including the Romans and Greeks, constructed cisterns to ensure access to water during dry seasons.
In the Middle Ages, many castles featured cisterns to collect rainwater, helping them survive sieges.
In arid regions, like the Middle East, cisterns became vital for community survival, reflecting sophisticated water management practices.

Architecture

Cisterns can be above ground or below, and often have complex systems with pipes to manage water flow and distribution.
Some modern homes use cisterns to collect rainwater, promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on municipal water systems.
The design of a cistern can vary from simple tanks to intricate underground chambers with filtration systems.

Science

Cisterns play a crucial role in hydrology, helping scientists understand groundwater and surface water interactions.
They can support biodiversity by providing water sources for various ecosystems, especially in dry regions.
Cistern water quality is vital, as it can host organisms—good (like beneficial bacteria) and bad (like algae)—affecting its safety for use.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, water from cisterns symbolizes life and fertility, appearing in folklore and religious practices.
Cisterns often become communal features, where people gather, showcasing cooperation in water management.
Literature and poetry sometimes reference cisterns as metaphors for storage of knowledge or emotions, connecting it to human experience.

Translations

Translations of the word "cistern" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cisterna

🇮🇳 टैंक

🇩🇪 Zisterne

🇮🇩 cistern

🇺🇦 цистерна

🇵🇱 cysterna

🇯🇵 シスタン

🇫🇷 citerne

🇪🇸 cisterna

🇹🇷 sarnıç

🇰🇷 저수조

🇸🇦 خزان

🇨🇿 cisterna

🇸🇰 cisterna

🇨🇳 水箱

🇸🇮 cisterna

🇮🇸 vatnaskemmdir

🇰🇿 цистерна

🇬🇪 ცისტერნა

🇦🇿 cistern

🇲🇽 cisterna

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,375, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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17372 conversed
17373 culpable
17374 rambling
17375 cistern
17376 radiography
17377 striated
17378 elucidated
...