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
see also in the tank
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
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Ukrainian servicemen operate a tank on a road near the border with Russia, in the Sumy region of Ukraine, on August 14, 2024.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
With three games remaining in the regular season and Mahomes sidelined because of a knee injury, some fans are hoping the team will purposely tank to help its draft position.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tank
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Noun
Due to the warehouse storing fuel and gas tanks, an evacuation of the building was carried out following the incident, Secretary of Security for the State of Mexico Cristóbal Castañeda said, the AP reported.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Ukrainian servicemen operate a tank on a road near the border with Russia, in the Sumy region of Ukraine, on August 14, 2024.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Democrats' opinions of the president tanked to 3% in the survey.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
With three games remaining in the regular season and Mahomes sidelined because of a knee injury, some fans are hoping the team will purposely tank to help its draft position.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 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 25 Dec. 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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