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

Most countries refused to sell them to Iran, so the unit started copying Soviet and North Korean designs, and later American Stinger and TOW antitank missiles captured in Afghanistan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

So far, though, the Pentagon has identified a potential danger only in a few unusual circumstances, like firing powerful antitank weapons or an abnormally high number of artillery shells.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

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

The U.S. would look for it to provide surface-to-air and antitank missiles to Ukraine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 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