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

On Wednesday, University of Miami researchers decided to move some of their most important old-stock Elkhorn corals from their three nurseries offshore of Virginia Key and bring them to the safety of their onshore aquariums. — Alex Harris july 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Once known predominantly for projecting educational installations at museums and aquariums, IMAX spent decades trying to break into the mainstream, though its limited network of theatres and analog-only format proved prohibitive for major studios. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration granted the aquariums an emergency rescue permit to save the belugas stranded at Marineland. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Transporting the belugas Prior to the rescue, animal specialists from participating aquariums convened in Ontario to observe the whales and prepare for the journey. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 July 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
• solarium
• 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