aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwer-ē-əm 

plural aquariums or aquaria ə-ˈkwer-ē-ə 

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

Heading to a science museum, aquarium, or history museum is a great way to spend a chilly day indoors without staying home. —Elisa Cinelli, Parents, 10 Dec. 2024

There's a Sea Life aquarium, mini golf, arcades, escape rooms and a psychedelic fun house called Wink World. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 28 Nov. 2024

Other ideas from the community for what to do with the land had included an aquarium – an idea floated by two harbor commissioners – or an educational center. —Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 25 Nov. 2024

Rafting trips, aquariums, planetariums … all of these seem like science fiction to someone who has only ever lived in a giant concrete tube. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of aquatic vivarium

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aquarium

• tropical aquarium

Kids Definition

aquarium

noun

aquar·​i·​um ə-ˈkwar-ē-əm 

-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