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

There were cisterns on the seven hills to collect rain. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025

According to fire officials, tanker shuttles were used to bring water to the fire from a 10,000-gallon cistern on Hazel Woods Drive and a hydrant on Washington Road. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025

Alongside the two pairs of identical twins, it was also discovered that a quarter of the remains tested had a close relative in the cistern. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 14 June 2024

Brazil has built one million cisterns in its semiarid northeast to ensure adequate water supplies during extended dry seasons. —Alice Hill, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2025

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