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

The whale rescue would have the largest scope of any yet in the aquarium’s history, and is part of a large operation across multiple rescuers and borders, the aquarium said. — Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

From exploring local aquariums and museums to curling up with a good book overlooking the ocean, there are plenty of ways to make the most of a stormy beach day. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

Parking lots fill early, families stream through the gates with strollers and snacks, and kids race from the giraffes to the aquarium, primate exhibits, and Kids Kingdom. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Rice water, aquarium water, and fermented comfrey or seaweed provide nutrients and microbes. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 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