1
: a usually large receptacle for holding, transporting, or storing liquids (such as water or fuel)
2
: an enclosed heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on tracks
3
: tank top
5
: a prison cell or enclosure used especially for receiving prisoners
tanked; tanking; tanks
1
: to make no effort to win : lose intentionally
tanked the match
2
: to place, store, or treat in a tank
1
: to lose intentionally : give up in competition
2
: to suffer rapid decline, failure, or collapse
bought a stock that quickly tanked
Examples of tank in a Sentence
Verb
Some people say she deliberately tanked the match.
Some people have accused her of tanking.
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Art-Net nodes cost less than a tank of gas.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
Justin Gomez, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
One example in Thursday’s indictment alleges that a co-conspirator told a bettor several Portland players would be sitting out a March 23, 2023, game as the Blazers were tanking for a better draft pick, allegedly leading to more than $100,000 in wagers that Portland would lose.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tank
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Noun
Highlights include a selection of von Furstenberg’s iconic ‘70s printed wrap dresses, easy slips, like the early 2000s red and black Rose dress or 2016 gold tank dress, colorful skirts, vintage jackets and more.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Art-Net nodes cost less than a tank of gas.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
The American people are hostage to Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries' poll numbers because what's changed between now and the last time there was a clean, continuing resolution is Chuck Schumer has tanked in the polls.
—Justin Gomez, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
One example in Thursday’s indictment alleges that a co-conspirator told a bettor several Portland players would be sitting out a March 23, 2023, game as the Blazers were tanking for a better draft pick, allegedly leading to more than $100,000 in wagers that Portland would lose.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tank
Cite this Entry
“Tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tank. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tank
1 of 2 noun1
: a usually large container for holding, transporting, or storing liquids
2
: an enclosed heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on beltlike tracks
tank
2 of 2 verb
: to place, store, or treat in a tank
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