cistern

noun

cis·​tern ˈsi-stərn 

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

Theodoric’s Guide for the Holy Land reminded travelers there was no water in Jerusalem other than the rainwater collected by inhabitants and stored in cisterns for daily use. —Megan Cassidy-Welch, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025

The system involved a pool in the courtyard for catching water and two underground cisterns for storing it. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

What with pumping and hauling, filling the cistern’s a two-hour job even with Sid’s help. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Russia has lost 213 vehicles, including tanks, armored fighting vehicles, cars, and cisterns in Ukraine on February 11, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cisterna, from cista box, chest — more at chest

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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