tanker

noun

tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər 

1

a

: a cargo ship fitted with tanks for carrying liquid in bulk

b

: a vehicle on which a tank is mounted to carry fluids

also : a cargo airplane for transporting fuel

2

: a member of a military tank crew

Examples of tanker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this month, a fuel tanker crashed into other vehicles and exploded near the western city of Sanandaj, killing 11 people and injuring seven others. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

The other Gulf states have relied on this route for months now, though the journey remains dangerous as Iran continues to attack tankers transiting the strait. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Police said a white Peterbilt semi truck driving north with a tractor and tanker trailer struck the pedestrian. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Neither the Bab el Mandeb Strait nor the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tankers any longer, especially those carrying Saudi oil. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tanker

• oil tanker

Rhymes for tanker

• anchor
• anker
• banker
• canker
• hanker
• rancor
• shanker

Kids Definition

tanker

noun

tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər 

: a vehicle (as a ship, truck, or aircraft) designed for the transportation of liquids