Aquarium: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：tank or building for aquatic displays (aquarium)

aquarium 🔊

/əˈkweəriəm/

A tank or a building that holds fish and other water creatures for people to look at.

Aquarium illustration: inside a public underwater tunnel with fish, turtle, and shark

tank or building for aquatic displays 🔊

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/tæŋk ɔːr ˈbɪldɪŋ fɔːr əˈkwætɪk dɪsˈpleɪz/

A structure or container designed to house and exhibit fish and other water-dwelling organisms for public viewing or private enjoyment.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'aqua' (water) + '-arium' (place for).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'aqua' means water, and '-arium' is a place – like a museum for aquatic life.

📖 Example

On weekends, we love to take the kids to the city aquarium to watch sharks swim over our heads in the underwater tunnel. 🔊 We enjoy visiting the city aquarium with our children on weekends to observe sharks from an underwater tunnel.

🔗 Collocations

public aquarium – an aquarium open to the public for viewing aquatic life

home aquarium – a small aquarium kept in a residence for pet fish

aquarium tank – the container that holds water and aquatic creatures

🔄 Synonyms

fish tank (n.) – a container, typically made of glass, for keeping live fish

marine park (n.) – a facility housing marine animals for public display and education

oceanarium (n.) – a large seawater aquarium for marine life exhibition

🌱 Derivatives

aquarist (n.) – a person who keeps or maintains an aquarium

aquaria (n.) – the plural form of aquarium

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'aqua' for water. Public aquariums became popular in the 19th century, serving as educational attractions and family entertainment venues in urban areas worldwide.