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

Sharks in public aquariums have demonstrated remarkable intelligence and willingness to work with their caretakers. —Hans Walters, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025

Watch a live feeding demonstration in LEC’s saltwater aquarium and learn about the diets and behaviors of marine animal ambassadors and their importance in the ecosystem. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025

Shedd Aquarium ranks among the largest indoor aquariums in the world. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

During the week of June 8, for example, the aquarium’s online visit planner, which displays the relative ticket availability for each day, offered out-of-state adult admissions as low as $37.95 for dates later in the month and as much as $46.95 for walk-in tickets that week. —Harriet Baskas, NBC news, 14 June 2025

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

• herbarium
• ovarium
• puparium
• samarium
• zoarium
• armamentarium
• cerium
• 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