cistern

noun

cis·​tern ˈsi-stərn 

1

: an artificial reservoir (such as an underground tank) for storing liquids and especially water (such as rainwater)

2

: a large usually silver vessel formerly used (as in cooling wine) at the dining table

3

: a fluid-containing sac or cavity in an organism

Examples of cistern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Resilient and water-resistant, it was used in the Roman times for cisterns, amphoras, aqueducts, as well as underlayers for fresco paintings. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Additional features include a media room, three office areas, breakfast nook, lap pool, hot tub room, wet bar, expansive deck, hardwired security system, two wells and a 1,000-gallon cistern. — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2026

One production detail was unplanned, according to the distillery—apparently, the new make spirit for this release was stored in the cistern room for six days because of a holiday weekend, which is longer than usual. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026

The Los Angeles County Fire Department identified the spot as a cistern at Marshall Canyon County Park, near Claremont Wilderness Park’s 5-Mile Loop Trail. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cisterna, from cista box, chest — more at chest

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cistern

noun

cis·​tern ˈsis-tərn 

: an artificial reservoir or tank for storing water usually underground

Medical Definition

cistern

noun

cis·​tern ˈsis-tərn 

: a fluid-containing sac or cavity in an organism