aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwer-ē-əm How to pronounce aquarium (audio)
plural aquariums or aquaria ə-ˈkwer-ē-ə How to pronounce aquarium (audio)
Synonyms of aquariumnext
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
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.
The aquarium said 27-year-old Caspian, 23-year-old Peekachu, 22-year-old Secord and 20-year-old Rain were loaded onto a cargo plane for the journey early Wednesday. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The film memorably told the story of a young boy who befriends and tries to free a killer whale who has been captured in the wild and is living in an aquarium. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 Eight belugas lived in the aquarium prior to the rescue effort. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 At low tide, the retreating ocean leaves behind a natural aquarium enclosed by volcanic rock. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aquarium

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of aquatic vivarium

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aquarium was circa 1847

Phrases Containing aquarium

Rhymes for aquarium

See All Rhymes for aquarium

Browse Nearby Words

aquarist
aquarium
Aquarius
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Cite this Entry

“Aquarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquarium. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aquarium

noun
aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwar-ē-əm How to pronounce aquarium (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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