cistern

noun

cis·tern ˈsi-stərn

Synonyms of cistern

: an artificial reservoir (such as an underground tank) for storing liquids and especially water (such as rainwater)

: a large usually silver vessel formerly used (as in cooling wine) at the dining table

: a fluid-containing sac or cavity in an organism

Examples of cistern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

One production detail was unplanned, according to the distillery—apparently, the new make spirit for this release was stored in the cistern room for six days because of a holiday weekend, which is longer than usual. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026 The Los Angeles County Fire Department identified the spot as a cistern at Marshall Canyon County Park, near Claremont Wilderness Park’s 5-Mile Loop Trail. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The mother bear and three cubs fell into a cistern at Marshall Canyon County Park on Saturday, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in a Facebook post. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 In 1995, with water service only two or three days a week, Rodriguez purchased and paid to install a 600-gallon cistern for about $1,000. — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cistern

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin cisterna, from cista box, chest — more at chest

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of cistern was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cistern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cistern. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cistern

noun

cis·tern ˈsis-tərn

: an artificial reservoir or tank for storing water usually underground

Medical Definition

cistern

noun

cis·tern ˈsis-tərn

: a fluid-containing sac or cavity in an organism

cistern

noun

Examples of cistern in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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