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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Last year, adding to their arsenal, the aquarium received several elkhorn corals from Honduras that appeared to withstand hotter-than-normal temperatures. Max Chesnes, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025 Pogo lived at the Tucson museum – which is also a zoo, garden, art gallery and aquarium – for more than a decade, museum officials said. Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025 The zoo established the world’s first reptile house and aquarium in the mid-1800s. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025 The aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life aerial research team has flown 32 surveys off New England since December, resulting in 168 North Atlantic right whales being located, officials said. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 6 May 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 29 May. 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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