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

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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

See Examples For:

antitank

In recent years, Pyongyang has beefed up its border fortifications, laying new land mines, constructing new walls and building antitank barriers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

The intelligence shows Iranian-backed Hezbollah is restocking rockets, antitank missiles and artillery, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

Overnight, Israel said a military drone struck a militant cell that tried to launch antitank missiles at northern Israel, near the town of Metula.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 12, 2023

Ukraine also plants expansive fields of antitank mines, to stop Russian advances.

From New York Times ● Jul. 17, 2023

Ishmael ate a last meal on the Heywood’s messing deck with Ernest Testa- verde, a boy he liked, an antitank gunner from Delaware.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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