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

But after months of relative reticence to take big swings or commit to a tank job, the Bulls made a sharp heel turn this week by offloading all but one of their expiring contracts. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Appliances and hardware include a dual-burner induction cooktop, full interior heating and A/C, 88-L compressor fridge, and 189-L fresh water tank. —New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

This is not the lecture being offered elsewhere about tanking, which certainly appears to be the preferred method of rebuilding in today’s NBA. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

Not even four years later, the Bulls salary-dumped him in an effort to tank. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 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