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

Iranian media outlets said Tehran was suspending tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and was considering pulling out of the deal with Washington over Israel's actions in Lebanon. —CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

There is also no indication whether the deal includes an end to passage fees that Iran began charging some tankers after the start of the war to ensure safe passage through the strait. —Greg Myre, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026

Trump signed an executive order in January threatening crushing tariffs on any country that provided oil to Cuba, and the United States already intercepted a tanker from Venezuela in December and one from Colombia in February. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026

Iran is reportedly finalizing a joint maritime protocol with Oman to institutionalize coordinated management of tanker traffic through the strait, which could embed Iranian authority over the crucial energy artery into a standing bilateral agreement. —Anniek Bao,sam Meredith, CNBC, 8 Apr. 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