aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwer-ē-əm 

plural aquariums or aquaria ə-ˈkwer-ē-ə 

1

: a container (such as a glass tank) or an artificial pond in which living aquatic animals or plants are kept

2

: an establishment where aquatic organisms are kept and exhibited

Examples of aquarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rosa, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s oldest sea otter and one of its social media stars, died Wednesday, the aquarium said in a statement. —Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024

As medical experts review her test results and develop a care plan, the aquarium is temporarily closed. —Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2024

Soon after the aquarium announced her pregnancy, the town near Asheville started seeing an influx of visitors and tourists. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 4 June 2024

Another great option is the Frost Science Museum, which boasts a giant aquarium that spans multiple floors (among multiple other exhibits). —Andrew J. Tardif, Miami Herald, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of aquatic vivarium

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aquarium

• tropical aquarium

Kids Definition

aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwar-ē-əm 

-ˈkwer-

plural aquariums or aquaria

-ē-ə

: a container (as a glass tank) in which living water animals or plants are kept

also : an establishment where collections of such animals or plants are kept and shown