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
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
William Roberson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
There just didn’t appear to be any gas in the tank, nor any will to compete.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Apr. 2025
Republican Senator Thom Tillis seemed concerned that some of the allegations against Hegseth could be credible and was on track to tank his nomination.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tank
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Noun
The gas tank holds just over 4 gallons of fuel, and the seat is long and flat for moving around while navigating off the pavement.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
There just didn’t appear to be any gas in the tank, nor any will to compete.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
The stock market is tanking, and a ton of people who used to have jobs that seemed stable are now being fired.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Apr. 2025
Republican Senator Thom Tillis seemed concerned that some of the allegations against Hegseth could be credible and was on track to tank his nomination.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2025.
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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