cistern

noun

cis·​tern ˈsi-stərn 

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

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

Barely 1 kilometer from the site’s iconic step pyramid was an artificial cistern called a chultun, connected to a low-ceilinged cave. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cisterna, from cista box, chest — more at chest

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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