First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1bank
noun \ˈbaŋk\
Definition of BANK
1
: a mound, pile, or ridge raised above the surrounding level: as a : a piled-up mass of cloud or fog b : an undersea elevation rising especially from the continental shelf
2
: the rising ground bordering a lake, river, or sea or forming the edge of a cut or hollow
3
a : a steep slope (as of a hill) b : the lateral inward tilt of a surface along a curve or of a vehicle (as an airplane) when turning
4
: a protective or cushioning rim or piece
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Origin of BANK
Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse bakki bank; akin to Old English benc bench — more at bench
2bank
verb
Definition of BANK
transitive verb
1
a : to raise a bank about b : to cover (as a fire) with fresh fuel and adjust the draft of air so as to keep in an inactive state c : to build (a curve) with the roadbed or track inclined laterally upward from the inside edge
2
: to heap or pile in a bank
3
a : to drive (a ball in billiards) into a cushion b : to bounce (a ball or shot) off a surface (as a backboard) into or toward a goal <bank in a rebound>
4
: to form or group in a tier
intransitive verb
1
: to rise in or form a bank —often used with up <clouds would bank up about midday, and showers fall — William Beebe>
2
a : to incline an airplane laterally b (1) : to incline laterally (2) : to follow a curve or incline <skiers banking around the turn>
First Known Use of BANK
1590
3bank
noun
Definition of BANK
1
a : an establishment for the custody, loan, exchange, or issue of money, for the extension of credit, and for facilitating the transmission of funds b obsolete : the table, counter, or place of business of a money changer
2
: a person conducting a gambling house or game; specifically : dealer
3
: a supply of something held in reserve: as a : the fund of supplies (as money, chips, or pieces) held by the banker or dealer for use in a game b : a fund of pieces belonging to a game (as dominoes) from which the players draw
4
: a place where something is held available <memory banks>; especially : a depot for the collection and storage of a biological product <a blood bank>
Origin of BANK
Middle English, from Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French banque, from Old Italian banca, literally, bench, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English benc
First Known Use: 15th century
Other Economics Terms
4bank
verb
Definition of BANK
intransitive verb
1
: to manage a bank
2
: to deposit money or have an account in a bank
transitive verb
: to deposit or store in a bank
— bank on
: to depend or rely on <can always bank on her friendship>
First Known Use of BANK
circa 1751
5bank
noun
Definition of BANK
1
: a group or series of objects arranged together in a row or a tier: as a : a set of elevators b : a row or tier of telephones
2
: one of the horizontal and usually secondary or lower divisions of a headline
Origin of BANK
Middle English banc bench, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English benc
First Known Use: 1614
BANK Defined for Kids
1bank
noun \ˈbaŋk\
Definition of BANK for Kids
1
: a mound or ridge especially of earth <a bank of snow>
2
: the side of a hill
3
: the higher ground at the edge of a river, lake, or sea <the banks of the river>
4
: something shaped like a mound <a bank of clouds>
5
: an undersea elevation : shoal
2bank
verb
bankedbank·ing
Definition of BANK for Kids
1
: to build (a curve) in a road or track with a slope upward from the inside edge
2
: to heap up in a mound or pile <Wind banked snow against the door.>
3
: to raise a pile or mound around <bank a stone wall>
4
: to tilt to one side when turning
3bank
noun
Definition of BANK for Kids
1
: a business where people deposit and withdraw their money and borrow money
2
: a small closed container in which money may be saved
3
: a storage place for a reserve supply <a blood bank>
4bank
verb
bankedbank·ing
Definition of BANK for Kids
1
: to have an account in a bank <We bank locally.>
2
: to deposit in a bank <bank ten dollars>
5bank
noun
Definition of BANK for Kids
: a group or series of objects arranged together in a row <a bank of seats>
Medical Dictionary
bank
noun \ˈbaŋk\
Medical Definition of BANK
: a place where something is held available <data bank>; especially : a depot for the collection and storage of a biological product of human origin for medical use <a sperm bank> <an eye bank>—see blood bank
Learn More About BANK
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