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

Many middle- and upper-class families have water tanks and cisterns at their homes.

From Washington Post

Lastly, he confirms that the water level in the lavatory water cistern hasn’t changed.

From Quanta Magazine

The company warned residents in the affected community Wednesday “to disconnect downspouts to cisterns if accessible” and not drink the water.

From Washington Post

The fine mist of oil and water from Limetree Bay Refining rained down on the community of Clifton Hill, showering the slick mix onto cars, gardens, rooftops and cisterns filled with rainwater that residents use for daily tasks.

From Washington Post

To contain the spills, Pacific Coast Energy installed wide, short cisterns, or “cans,” stuck into the earth like straws, from which frothy water and oil can be vacuumed.

From ProPublica

The waste steam puffed through a launder into the feed-cistern.

From Project Gutenberg

This was done with water in the cistern round the condenser, which water came up to 180 degrees of heat, and remained so.

From Project Gutenberg

From this cistern large earthen pipes led off in various directions to irrigate the terraces below.

From Project Gutenberg

So they picks up the flatirons, and as they picks em up they come a splashing noise in the cistern.

From Project Gutenberg

The water having failed in the cistern on the Tuesday, she had recourse to that in the water-tub in the back kitchen.

From Project Gutenberg