tank

1 of 2

noun

ˈtaŋk 

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

4

dialect : pond, pool

especially : one built as a water supply

5

: a prison cell or enclosure used especially for receiving prisoners

tankful

ˈtaŋk-ˌfu̇l 

noun

tanklike

ˈtaŋk-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

in the tank

tank

2 of 2

verb

tanked; tanking; tanks

transitive verb

1

: to make no effort to win : lose intentionally

tanked the match

2

: to place, store, or treat in a tank

intransitive verb

1

: to lose intentionally : give up in competition

2

: to suffer rapid decline, failure, or collapse

bought a stock that quickly tanked

Synonyms of tank

Verb

• flop
• collapse
• fail
• bomb
• fold
• strike out
• struggle
• miss

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

Noun

The effort targets growing demand for robotic systems that can support tanks and reconnaissance vehicles without adding soldiers to the battlefield. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026

Navy divers found 330 packages of cocaine hidden in the boat's ballast tanks. —Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026

Verb

When a 1960s Austin-Healey and a trove of rare toy cars emerge from the mess, a massive payday feels within reach — until lowball offers threaten to tank the deal. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Karnišovas finally committed to tanking by shipping out every relevant expiring contract on the roster. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Portuguese tanque, alteration of estanque, from estancar to stanch, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *stanticare — more at stanch

First Known Use

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1863, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing tank

• anti-tank
• drop tank
• drunk tank
• septic tank
• tank car
• tank destroyer
• tank suit
• tank top
• tank town
• tank up
• think tank

Rhymes for tank

• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank
• crank
• dank
• drank
• flank
• franc
• hank
• lank
• plank

Kids Definition

tank

1 of 2 noun

ˈtaŋk 

1

: 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