tank top

American

noun

a close-fitting, low-cut top having shoulder straps and often made of lightweight, knitted fabric.

tank top British

noun

a sleeveless upper garment with wide shoulder straps and a low neck, usually worn over a shirt, blouse, or jumper

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

tank tops

plural

Etymology

Origin of tank top

First recorded in 1945–50

Compare meaning

How does tank-top compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

tank top

It came 26 years after Madonna wore a bedazzled "Kylie Minogue" tank top at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Sweden: A gesture of solidarity that took the Aussie pop star by surprise.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

“Syd’s Picks,” a collection of Sweeney’s favorite American Eagle items—including a low-rise jean, lace tank top and utility jacket—will continue to be featured on its website.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2025

The man who fled the crash site wore a white tank top, but officers found Scott in a black T-shirt.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2025

Afterward, Brown, a 62-year-old retired contractor with muscled arms and a tank top, told her she played well and that he had been surprised to learn her age.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2025

She’s wearing shorts, a tank top, and sneakers and is kind of sweaty.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023