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

No soaps, detergents or other cleaners are used to wash the aquariums. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026

Off the water, Virginia Beach is home to an aquarium, laser tag, indoor skydiving, mini golf, and many more attractions for the entire family to enjoy. —Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

For more than four decades, the Academy has participated in the Species Survival Plan, a coordinated program across accredited zoos and aquariums. —Jessica Burch, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

The new complex will bring people in doors to view exhibits and the centerpiece, a 23,000-gallon aquarium devoted to the reef and its inhabitants. —David Goodhue april 22, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for aquarium

• cerium
• armamentarium
• herbarium
• ovarium
• puparium
• samarium
• zoarium
• honorarium
• planetarium
• sanitarium

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