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

This seven-story building in the heart of downtown contains several museums, a living reef aquarium, and Six and Sky Rooftop Grille, where guests can take in splendid views of the Roanoke Valley while dining on seafood and steak. —Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

Dads who visit the zoo and aquarium with their children will get free admission to celebrate Father's Day. —Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Learn more at the aquarium’s Instagram page. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Experience magic as the aquarium comes alive with glowing corals and exciting live performances. —Kayla Rivera, AJC.com, 2 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