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
In many places in Texas, plain tap water is delicious, whether derived from surface, underground or cistern sources.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The project, expected to take three to four months, will also include renovations and expansions to the Marshall Mesa trailhead and parking lot, as well as the installation of a 20,000-gallon cistern to improve fire resilience for nearby homes.
—Tom Howarth
follow, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Nygren reported that 320 cistern and waterline connections have been completed, and a groundbreaking recently took place for a $20 million waterline project serving 16,000 residents in To’hajiilee, about 40 miles west of Albuquerque.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
The home, built in 1984, features a guest suite with separate access as well as an attached 2-car garage, a 4-car outbuilding and a cistern for gardening.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cistern 
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Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The project, expected to take three to four months, will also include renovations and expansions to the Marshall Mesa trailhead and parking lot, as well as the installation of a 20,000-gallon cistern to improve fire resilience for nearby homes.
—Tom Howarth
follow, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Nygren reported that 320 cistern and waterline connections have been completed, and a groundbreaking recently took place for a $20 million waterline project serving 16,000 residents in To’hajiilee, about 40 miles west of Albuquerque.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
The home, built in 1984, features a guest suite with separate access as well as an attached 2-car garage, a 4-car outbuilding and a cistern for gardening.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cistern
Dictionary Entries Near cistern
Cite this Entry
“Cistern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cistern. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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