aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwer-ē-əm 

plural aquariums or aquaria ə-ˈkwer-ē-ə 

1

: a container (such as a glass tank) or an artificial pond in which living aquatic animals or plants are kept

2

: an establishment where aquatic organisms are kept and exhibited

Examples of aquarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest ones offer everything from aquariums and museums to go kart tracks, ice rinks and even dinosaur skeletons. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

That inspector general did a very thorough report, 150 pages, and sought information from the public, other captive facilities, and aquariums from around the world. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

The offerings on Sentosa go on and on and include dolphin encounters, a skywalk, zip lines, an aquarium, and Universal Studios. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024

That was the fate of Charlotte, a male green sea turtle who was named before the aquarium team confirmed his gender. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of aquatic vivarium

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aquarium

• tropical aquarium

Kids Definition

aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwar-ē-əm 

-ˈkwer-

plural aquariums or aquaria

-ē-ə

: a container (as a glass tank) in which living water animals or plants are kept

also : an establishment where collections of such animals or plants are kept and shown