aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwer-ē-əm How to pronounce aquarium (audio)
plural aquariums or aquaria ə-ˈkwer-ē-ə How to pronounce aquarium (audio)
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
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She and fiancé Travis Kelce have been documented visiting nearby Carmel, but MacDonald said the aquarium is not aware of the couple having been in their shop. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 Just by wearing an aquarium’s T-shirt in a small snippet of her The Release Party of a Showgirl film, the pop star inspired countless fans to seek one out for themselves — raising $2 million for otter conservation in the process. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025 Martin, one of Miami’s most prolific and politically connected developers, plans to put a modern aquarium on the property, plus waterfront restaurants, a public baywalk and areas dedicated to education related to the Biscayne Bay ecosystem. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025 There was a huge bowl filled with goldfish on a window ledge in the staircase, more like a party decoration, not an aquarium. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aquarium

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of aquatic vivarium

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aquarium was circa 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Aquarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquarium. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

aquarium

noun
aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwar-ē-əm How to pronounce aquarium (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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