aquarium

[ uh-kwair-ee-uhm ]

noun

plural aquariums, aquaria

1. a glass-sided tank, bowl, or the like, in which fish or other living aquatic animals or plants are kept.
2. a building or institution in which fish or other aquatic animals or plants are kept for exhibit, study, etc.

aquarium

/ əˈkwɛərɪəm /

noun

1. a tank, bowl, or pool in which aquatic animals and plants are kept for pleasure, study, or exhibition
2. a building housing a collection of aquatic life, as for exhibition

Other Word Forms

• a·quari·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aquarium¹

1840–50; blend of Latin aquārius of or for water ( aqu ( a ) water + -ārius -ary ) and vivarium; -arium

Word History and Origins

Origin of aquarium¹

C19: from Latin aquārius relating to water, on the model of vivarium

Example Sentences

Enter the Alaska SeaLife Center, an aquarium with 40 sunflower sea stars — the largest collection of the animals in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s on the smaller side compared to some of the aquariums I’ve visited, but they make excellent use of their historic building, and there’s a lot to see.

From Salon

To that end, the aquarium on Thursday released an inaugural Marine Species Report Card, a collaborative effort that assesses the population status of 30 species found on the California coast.

From Los Angeles Times

To get in the spirit, Miami transported an actual dolphin to the team hotel and used the pool as an aquarium.

From Los Angeles Times

“I went to PetSmart and bought a small aquarium,” which seemed to revive the struggling fish.

From Los Angeles Times