cistern

[ sis-tern ]

noun

1. a reservoir, tank, or container for storing or holding water or other liquid.
2. Anatomy. a reservoir or receptacle of some natural fluid of the body.

cistern

/ sɪˈstɜːnəl; ˈsɪstən /

noun

1. a tank for the storage of water, esp on or within the roof of a house or connected to a WC
2. an underground reservoir for the storage of a liquid, esp rainwater
3. anatomy another name for cisterna

Derived Forms

• cisternal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cistern¹

1250–1300; Middle English cistern ( e ) < Latin cisterna, equivalent to cist ( a ) ( cist ¹ ) + -erna noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cistern¹

C13: from Old French cisterne, from Latin cisterna underground tank, from cista box

Example Sentences

Once back home, Yazzie has her son refill a cistern in the family’s yard.

From Los Angeles Times

I prodded him and shouted, “Do you have a cistern, a well, anything?”

From Literature

Dressed in a Carhartt hoodie and knit cap, he watches a backhoe operator dig a pit for a cistern, which will connect to the new sink that will be installed in the kitchen.

From Los Angeles Times

Near the village of Jaun, a construction crew was laying pipes to deliver electricity and water from a new cistern to six local farms.

From New York Times

To provide water for both structures, Hale designed the roof of the bunkhouse with gutters that collect rainwater, which is pumped into cisterns and filtered for use.

From Seattle Times