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 scenes in the French capital are full of welcome color and life — everything from receptions in salons or at Versailles to a street carnival to a mermaid swimming in an aquarium — all chances to display sumptuous costumes by Corinne Bruand. —Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

In the stuttering rhythm of stop-motion, toy cars circle as if searching for parking; a medieval knight figurine shuffles across the aquarium clutching a cocktail umbrella; ESP cards escape a sealed pack, sort themselves by suit, and leap back inside. —Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

The aquarium subsequently built its Penguin Pavilion, and several chicks have hatched since their introduction to the facility. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026

Detectives watched security-camera footage that showed them enter the aquarium’s property through the mangroves of a neighboring business, according to the report. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 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

• 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