drop tank

noun

: an auxiliary fuel tank for airplanes that can be jettisoned (as when empty)

Examples of drop tank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lack of missiles and drop tanks hanging off the wings and fuselage improves the aircraft's radar-cross section. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 3 Nov. 2015 The MiG-17PF even comes with a pair of drop tanks for cross-country travel. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 19 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drop tank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drop tank was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near drop tank

Cite this Entry

“Drop tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop%20tank. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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