1
: an artificial reservoir (such as an underground tank) for storing liquids and especially water (such as rainwater)
2
: a large usually silver vessel formerly used (as in cooling wine) at the dining table
3
: a fluid-containing sac or cavity in an organism
Examples of cistern in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The project, expected to take three to four months, will also include renovations and expansions to the Marshall Mesa trailhead and parking lot, as well as the installation of a 20,000-gallon cistern to improve fire resilience for nearby homes.
—
Tom Howarth
follow, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Nygren reported that 320 cistern and waterline connections have been completed, and a groundbreaking recently took place for a $20 million waterline project serving 16,000 residents in To’hajiilee, about 40 miles west of Albuquerque.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
The home, built in 1984, features a guest suite with separate access as well as an attached 2-car garage, a 4-car outbuilding and a cistern for gardening.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 1 Oct. 2024
Barely 1 kilometer from the site’s iconic step pyramid was an artificial cistern called a chultun, connected to a low-ceilinged cave.
—Byandrew Curry, science.org, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cistern 
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Tom Howarth
follow, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Nygren reported that 320 cistern and waterline connections have been completed, and a groundbreaking recently took place for a $20 million waterline project serving 16,000 residents in To’hajiilee, about 40 miles west of Albuquerque.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
The home, built in 1984, features a guest suite with separate access as well as an attached 2-car garage, a 4-car outbuilding and a cistern for gardening.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 1 Oct. 2024
Barely 1 kilometer from the site’s iconic step pyramid was an artificial cistern called a chultun, connected to a low-ceilinged cave.
—Byandrew Curry, science.org, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cistern
Dictionary Entries Near cistern
Cite this Entry
“Cistern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cistern. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cistern
noun
cis·tern
ˈsis-tərn 
: an artificial reservoir or tank for storing water usually underground
Medical Definition
cistern
noun
cis·tern
ˈsis-tərn
: a fluid-containing sac or cavity in an organism
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