tanker

noun

tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər 

1

a

: a cargo ship fitted with tanks for carrying liquid in bulk

b

: a vehicle on which a tank is mounted to carry fluids

also : a cargo airplane for transporting fuel

2

: a member of a military tank crew

Examples of tanker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kpler data suggests commodity tanker traffic through the strait over the past seven days was lower than usual but had not stopped. — September 18, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

The new legislation targets Russian officials, financial institutions and the network of tankers used to move Russian oil while evading sanctions. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Nearly 1,600 personnel are assigned to the wildfire, along with more than 100 engines, 18 helicopters and 11 air tankers, according to Cal Fire. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The shift has sent the cost of leasing a tanker soaring to record highs, with daily rates growing around tenfold in the last year to more than $1 million. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tanker

• oil tanker

Rhymes for tanker

• anchor
• anker
• banker
• canker
• hanker
• rancor
• shanker

Kids Definition

tanker

noun

tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər 

: a vehicle (as a ship, truck, or aircraft) designed for the transportation of liquids