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
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026
The beauty of this device is its multi-faceted approach to water filtration, which removes bacteria, dust particles, and debris from the air through its double-layered filter and combination of UV and LED lights to cleanse its tank.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
Palantir tanked 16% that month as investors dumped their AI plays on valuation fears, and the stock posted its worst monthly performance in more than two years.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tank
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Noun
Vecna psychically finds Hopper (David Harbour) and manipulates him to break the tank, cutting off the psychic link for her, Kali, and Max.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026
The beauty of this device is its multi-faceted approach to water filtration, which removes bacteria, dust particles, and debris from the air through its double-layered filter and combination of UV and LED lights to cleanse its tank.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
When has tanking for draft picks ever benefitted a successful NFL franchise?
—Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
Palantir tanked 16% that month as investors dumped their AI plays on valuation fears, and the stock posted its worst monthly performance in more than two years.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 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 2 Jan. 2026.
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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