B2noun2K

Tank

UK /["/tæŋk/","/ˈtæŋkfʊl/"]/US /["/tæŋk/","/ˈtæŋkfʊl/"]/

Definition

a large container for holding liquid or gas

In simple words: A large container for holding liquids or a military vehicle.

Examples

  • a **fuel/water/storage tank**
  • a fish tank *(= for keeping fish in)*
  • He uses an oxygen tank to breathe.
  • Put a little fish food into the tank.
  • The truck crashed into a wall and ruptured a fuel tank.
  • Firefighters sometimes need to use air tanks and special breathing masks.
  • We drove there and back on one tank of fuel.
  • Tanks rolled in to end the siege.
  • He's six feet tall and built like a tank *(= has a solid, strong body)*.

Usage notes

Used commonly in both military and everyday contexts. In military terms, it's for armored vehicles; in common use, it refers to containers for water or gas. Not typically used in formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'tank' that holds water. Imagine a fish tank full of colorful fish.

Collocations

  • empty
  • full
  • glass
  • fill
  • refill
  • drain
  • contain something
  • in a/​the tank
  • into a/​the tank
  • tank of
  • empty
  • full
  • glass
  • fill
  • refill
  • drain
  • contain something
  • in a/​the tank
  • into a/​the tank
  • tank of
  • armoured/​armored
  • army
  • battle
  • climb into
  • get into
  • drive
  • roll
  • advance
  • attack
  • battalion
  • company
  • corps

Synonyms

  • container
  • reservoir
  • cylinder
  • vessel

Antonyms

  • drain
  • empty

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'tank' as a verb (e.g., to fail badly).
  • Misunderstanding 'tank' as only a military term; it's also for containers.