Tank: meaning, definitions and examples

General term for a large, heavy vehicle used in military operations, usually with tracks and a powerful gun.

• The army deployed tanks to secure the border.
• The tank moved slowly through the rough terrain.

Any vehicle with armor plating, which may include anything from personnel carriers to reconnaissance vehicles, not just tanks.

• The convoy included several armored vehicles for protection.
• The president traveled in an armored vehicle to ensure safety.

A broad term for any vehicle designed specifically for use in combat, including tanks, armored vehicles, and other military-specific vehicles.

• Combat vehicles are essential for modern military operations.
• They showcased the latest advancements in combat vehicles at the military expo.

A German term specifically for tanks, particularly those used in historical contexts or referring to German military forces.

• The Panzer IV was one of the most widely used German tanks during World War II.
• Historians often study the strategies involving Panzer divisions in the Second World War.

Already described above, commonly associated with storage of liquids or gases and used in vehicles or machinery.

A general term for any receptacle used for holding goods, materials, or liquids. Can vary greatly in size and use.

• She stored the leftover food in a plastic container.
• Shipping containers are used to transport goods across the ocean.

Usually describes a natural or artificial lake used to store water for various purposes, including drinking, irrigation, and electricity generation.

• The city's main reservoir is located in the mountains.
• They went fishing at the nearby reservoir.

Typically refers to a large container for storing water, especially for use in a building's plumbing system. Common in older houses or in areas with water shortages.

• The old house had a cistern to collect rainwater.
• He checked the cistern to ensure there was enough water for the week.

Use in contexts involving large containers for storing liquids or gases, often in industrial or military settings. Also, it can refer to armored military vehicles.

• The water tank on the roof needs to be cleaned.
• The army deployed several tanks to the area.

Commonly used when referring to a place where aquatic animals and plants are kept and displayed, often for public viewing. It can also refer to large enclosed environments in homes.

• We visited the aquarium to see the exotic fish.
• He has a beautiful saltwater aquarium in his living room.

Used in domestic settings to describe the enclosure where people keep pet fish. Generally smaller than an aquarium.

• The goldfish swam happily in the new fish tank.
• She bought a larger fish tank for her growing collection of tropical fish.

Typically refers to small, round glass containers specifically meant for keeping one or a few small fish. Can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where there is no privacy.

• He kept a single goldfish in a small fishbowl.
• Living in a small town feels like living in a fishbowl; everyone knows everyone else's business.