# aquarium

/əˈkwɛɹiəm/ (US) · /ɐkwˈeəɹiəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aquarium
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a fish tank

noun · CEFR B1

a glass container filled with water for keeping fish and water plants as pets.

For teachers: a transparent tank or container, typically made of glass or acrylic, used for keeping live aquatic animals and plants.

- He spent the afternoon cleaning the glass of his tropical fish aquarium.
- Maintaining a saltwater aquarium requires precise control over salinity and temperature to ensure the health of the delicate coral reef species.

Usage: Countable noun.

### 2. a public exhibition

noun · CEFR B1

a large building where the public can go to see many types of fish and sea creatures.

For teachers: a public institution or commercial building where live aquatic animals are exhibited to the public.

- The children were excited to see the sharks at the city aquarium.
- The national aquarium recently opened a new wing dedicated to the conservation of endangered sea turtles and local coastal ecosystems.

Usage: Countable noun.

## Examples

- We kept goldfish in a small glass aquarium.
- The local aquarium features a large tank with sharks and colorful tropical fish.
- The new marine aquarium uses advanced filtration systems to maintain water quality for delicate coral reefs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.