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)
Synonyms of aquariumnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now that this international sports event has taken over the city, the aquarium wanted to get involved. Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 Elementary school-age kids like Jimmy may enjoy the aquarium at the Seas with Nemo & Friends, games at the exit to Spaceship Earth, character greetings at CommuniCore Hall, different soda flavors from around the world in Club Cool and rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Frozen Ever After. Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 June 2026 The adult female was found June 6, floating in Wilson Bay near Jacksonville, the aquarium said. Mark Price june 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026 Native to the Indo-Pacific, lionfish first appeared off Florida coasts in the mid-1980s—most likely the result of aquarium owners releasing their pets into the wild. Rachel Nuwer, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026 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 30 Jun. 2026.

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
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