tanker

noun

tank·​er ˈtaŋ-kər How to pronounce tanker (audio)
Synonyms of tankernext
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.
The vessel has been sanctioned by multiple countries as part of the crackdown on the shadow fleet of tankers used by Russia to circumvent sanctions and transport and sell oil around the world. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Tehran also responded by effectively shutting down tanker and cargo traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of global oil supplies usually transit. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Wright’s statement was quickly challenged by several accounts on X which have sought to attract traffic and followers by posting data related to tanker transits through the Strait since the crisis began. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the coast of Oman is not only endangering a nearby island but has now also reached beaches on the Gulf Arab country's mainland, to the north of the island, Oman’s environment authority said Wednesday. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing tanker

Rhymes for tanker

See All Rhymes for tanker

Browse Nearby Words

tank engine
tanker
tankerabogus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tanker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tanker. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on tanker

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tanker

Nglish: Translation of tanker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tanker

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