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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The whale's death came amid an unprecedented international rescue operation involving several accredited aquariums in the United States and Spain that are taking in marine mammals who were trapped at Marineland. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Peekachu was blind in one eye and had trouble socializing with fellow whales, the aquarium said in its announcement. — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 Palmer said those activities include inflatable archery and a large aquarium featuring fish species found in Georgia. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Yes, Nerds, the crunchy sweets akin to technicolored aquarium gravel. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aquarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquarium. Accessed 1 Sep. 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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