Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large container for holding liquid or gas: A tank is a large, often cylindrical vessel designed to store fluids such as water, fuel, or chemicals.
   • An armored military vehicle: A tank is a heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on continuous tracks and is equipped with a large-caliber cannon.
   • A cell for violent prisoners: In a prison context, a tank can refer to a holding cell, especially one for unruly or violent inmates.
   • A freight car for liquids or gases: A tank can be a railroad car designed to transport bulk liquids or gases.
   • The amount a tank holds: The quantity of liquid or gas that fills a tank.

2. Verb:

   • To store in a tank: To place or cause a liquid or gas to flow into a tank for storage.
   • To consume excessive alcohol: (Informal) To drink a very large amount of alcohol, typically in a short period.
   • To treat in a tank: To process something, such as waste, in a large container or vat.
   • To fail or be defeated decisively: (Informal, often used in sports or business) To perform very poorly or to lose heavily.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We need to fill the car's fuel tank. (We need to put gasoline into the vehicle's storage container.)
  • The army deployed several tanks to the front line. (The military sent armored fighting vehicles to the battle area.)
  • The drunk driver spent the night in the tank. (The intoxicated driver was held in a jail cell overnight.)

• Verb:

  • The winery tanks the new wine for aging. (The winery stores the new wine in large containers for the aging process.)
  • They went out to tank last night and now feel terrible. (They went out to drink excessively last night and now feel ill.)
  • The company's stock price tanked after the scandal. (The company's stock value fell dramatically after the scandal.)

Advanced Usage

• "To tank up": To fill a fuel tank completely; also, to drink a lot of alcohol.
  • We need to tank up before the long drive. (We need to fill the car's fuel tank completely before the long journey.)
• "Think tank": A group or organization that conducts research and provides advice on specific problems.
  • She works for a foreign policy think tank. (She works for an organization that researches and advises on foreign policy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tanker (n): A ship, truck, or aircraft designed to transport liquids, especially oil, in bulk.
  • The oil tanker docked at the port.
• Tankful (n): An amount that fills a tank.
  • A tankful of gasoline will last us the week.

Synonyms

• Noun (Container): Cistern, reservoir, vat, container.
• Noun (Vehicle): Armored vehicle, combat vehicle.
• Verb (Fail): Plummet, crash, collapse, flop.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tank up: To fill something (like a vehicle) with fuel; to drink heavily.
  • Let's tank up the car and hit the road. (Let's fill the car with fuel and begin our journey.)
• Tank out: (Less common) Can imply failing or collapsing completely.
  • The engine tanked out after 200,000 miles. (The engine failed completely after 200,000 miles.)

Related Idioms

• "Like a fish tank": Used to describe a very crowded or transparent place.
  • This glass-walled office is like a fish tank; everyone can see you.
• "To be/feel tanked": (Informal) To be drunk.
  • After three beers, he was already feeling tanked.

Noun

1. a cell for violent prisoners
2. a freight car that transports liquids or gases in bulk
3. as much as a tank will hold
4. a large (usually metallic) vessel for holding gases or liquids
5. an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads

Verb

1. treat in a tank
   • tank animal refuse
2. consume excessive amounts of alcohol
3. store in a tank by causing (something) to flow into it