Reading Theme:
Bank Meaning, Examples & Common Uses (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：financial institution (bank)
bank
/bæŋk/
n.
A place where you can keep, borrow, or exchange money, like a safe house for your savings.
financial institution
➕
/fɪˈnænʃəl ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
n.
A financial establishment that accepts deposits, offers loans, and provides other monetary services.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Italian 'banca' (bench), origin of banking.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a wooden bench used by early bankers; your money sits on that bench.
📖 Example
I need to stop by the bank to withdraw some cash from the ATM.
I need to stop by the bank to withdraw some cash from the ATM.
🔗 Collocations
bank account – an account with a bank
bank loan – money borrowed from a bank
central bank – a national bank that controls monetary policy
🔄 Synonyms
financial institution (n.) – an organization that deals with money
savings bank (n.) – a bank that specializes in savings accounts
credit union (n.) – a cooperative financial institution
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Bank comes from Italian 'banca' (bench). Medieval moneylenders worked on benches; if they failed, the bench was broken ('banca rotta' -> bankrupt).
Meaning 2：river edge (bank)
bank
/bæŋk/
n.
The ground along the side of a river or stream, where the water meets the land.
river edge
➕
/ˈrɪvər ɛdʒ/
n.
The land along the side of a river or stream, where water meets the earth.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We found a perfect spot for a picnic on the grassy bank of the river.
We found a perfect spot for a picnic on the grassy bank of the river.
🔗 Collocations
river bank – the edge of a river
left bank – the bank on the left side when facing downstream
right bank – the bank on the right side when facing downstream
🔄 Synonyms
shore (n.) – the land along the edge of a sea or lake
coastline (n.) – the line where land meets the sea
embankment (n.) – a wall or bank of earth built to hold back water
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