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
Its extensive native landscaping will use water from a cistern that captures rain.
—
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024
The homeowners were happy to let the team drain their massive pool and build out the cult’s requisite cistern atop it.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2024
The location of the remains in a cistern aligns with researchers' theories that, at the time, subterranean structures were believed to be entrances to the underworld.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024
The recent findings were composed of analyses of 64 bodies out of the 100+ child remains recovered from a cistern close to the cenote.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cistern 
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024
The homeowners were happy to let the team drain their massive pool and build out the cult’s requisite cistern atop it.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2024
The location of the remains in a cistern aligns with researchers' theories that, at the time, subterranean structures were believed to be entrances to the underworld.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024
The recent findings were composed of analyses of 64 bodies out of the 100+ child remains recovered from a cistern close to the cenote.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cistern
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cistern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cistern
Cite this Entry
“Cistern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cistern. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share