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

Specialty stores are amusement parks Land of the free and home of the … specialty store with live aquarium fish. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 June 2026

Hermit crabs are very sensitive to their environment, so make sure the aquarium and any dishes are clean, too. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

The aquarium says more than 86% of right whales become entangled at least once in their lives. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 14 June 2026

While beloved for its amusement park, the popular attraction also features flower gardens, bubble fountains, and an aquarium. —Elizabeth Preske, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 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