antitank

American  

[an-tee-tangk, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈtæŋk, ˌæn taɪ- /

adjective

Military.

1. designed for use against tanks or other armored vehicles.

   antitank gun.

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antitank British  

/ ˌæntɪˈtæŋk /

adjective

1.  ATK.  designed to immobilize or destroy armoured vehicles

   antitank weapons

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Etymology

Origin of antitank

First recorded in 1915–20; anti- + tank

Explanation

Anything described as antitank is used to defend against tanks, which are massive, armored vehicles. Antitank armor will withstand a shell from a tank. Tanks are huge, armored military vehicles. Any word with the prefix anti goes against something else. Therefore, antitank measures and equipment are designed to defend against attack by tanks. An antitank gun fires at a tank, hoping to hold it off. An antitank barrier is designed to hold back a tank and must be extremely strong. This word is a lot like antiaircraft and antisubmarine, which describe defenses against aircraft and submarines.

Example Sentences

Antitank weapons from the West, including Javelins from the United States, are perhaps the “most visible but not necessarily the most numerous” of the weapons at Ukraine’s disposal, Cancian said.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2022

Antitank hedgehogs — metal rods welded together in a cluster — fill the spaces between the cordons.

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2022

Antitank guns were hidden in gateways and cellar windows.

From Time Magazine Archive

Antitank Weapons The Korean war has revived an old question: What is the best way to stop a tank?

From Time Magazine Archive

Antitank walls line the highway leading out of town to the DMZ, just 35 miles away, and air-raid drills bring the city to a halt on the 15th of each month.

From Time Magazine Archive