tanker

noun

tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər How to pronounce tanker (audio)
1
a
: a cargo ship fitted with tanks for carrying liquid in bulk
b
: a vehicle on which a tank is mounted to carry fluids
also : a cargo airplane for transporting fuel
2
: a member of a military tank crew

Examples of tanker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kevin McCullough, president of Aero Air, which also provides air tankers, sent some of its MD-87s to the Los Angeles fires. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2025 The firefighters drew water from a tanker truck instead of a nearby hydrant. Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Firefighters were dispatched to the area just before 2 p.m. local time and were trying to slow its spread with the help of air tankers and helicopters, said Capt. Robert Johnson of Cal Fire, the state’s fire agency. Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Cal Fire is assisting on the fight, and has sent two helicopters, an air attack plane and two air tankers to the scene. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tanker 

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tanker was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near tanker

Cite this Entry

“Tanker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tanker. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

tanker

noun
tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər How to pronounce tanker (audio)
: a vehicle (as a ship, truck, or aircraft) designed for the transportation of liquids
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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