First Known Use: 1609
Dictionary
1tank
noun \ˈtaŋk\
: a container for holding a liquid or gas
: the amount that a tank will hold
: a military vehicle that moves on two large metal belts with wheels inside them and that is covered in heavy armor
Full Definition of TANK
2
: a usually large receptacle for holding, transporting, or storing liquids (as water or fuel)
3
: an enclosed heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on tracks
4
: a prison cell or enclosure used especially for receiving prisoners
5
: tank top
— tank·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun
— tank·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— in the tank or into the tank
: in or into a decline or slump <the sullen student's grades went into the tank>
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Origin of TANK
Portuguese tanque, alteration of estanque, from estancar to stanch, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *stanticare — more at stanch
2tank
verb
: to be very unsuccessful : to fail completely
: to make no effort to win a contest (such as a tennis match) : to deliberately lose a game, match, etc.
Full Definition of TANK
transitive verb1
: to place, store, or treat in a tank
2
: to make no effort to win : lose intentionally <tanked the match>
intransitive verb
1
: to lose intentionally : give up in competition
2
: to suffer rapid decline, failure, or collapse <bought a stock that quickly tanked>
See tank defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TANK
1863
TANK Defined for Kids
tank
noun \ˈtaŋk\
Definition of TANK for Kids
1
: an often large container for a liquid <water tank> <fish tank>
2
: an enclosed combat vehicle that has heavy armor and guns and a tread which is an endless belt
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