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
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The young manatee now weighs more than 500 pounds, and getting her into the EPCOT aquarium required some heavy lifting. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026 Researchers at the aquarium have been tracking and tagging sand tigers in the area since 2016. — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026 The installation is part of the aquarium's Harbor Wetland exhibit. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Route 30 travels along Atlantic Avenue about every 15 minutes, while Route 31 heads south toward the aquarium and campgrounds, and Route 35 connects the Oceanfront with the North End, First Landing State Park, and Chesapeake Bay beaches. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on aquarium

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for aquarium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aquarium

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