aquarium

American  

[uh-kwair-ee-uhm] / əˈkwɛər i əm /

noun

plural

aquariums, aquaria

1. a glass-sided tank, bowl, or the like, in which fish or other living aquatic animals or plants are kept.

2. a building or institution in which fish or other aquatic animals or plants are kept for exhibit, study, etc.

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aquarium British  

/ əˈkwɛərɪəm /

noun

1. a tank, bowl, or pool in which aquatic animals and plants are kept for pleasure, study, or exhibition

2. a building housing a collection of aquatic life, as for exhibition

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Other Word Forms

• aquarial adjective

Etymology

Origin of aquarium

1840–50; blend of Latin aquārius of or for water ( aqu ( a ) water + -ārius -ary ) and vivarium; -arium

Explanation

Aquarium can either describe a small tank, or an entire building that houses fish and other aquatic life. Your goldfish will probably feel right at home in the aquarium that's sitting on your desk, but a whale would be better off in a big aquarium where people buy tickets to see marine life. An aquarium can be small enough to fit in the average house, or big enough to house whales and accommodate millions of tourists each year. If you're talking about more than one of those tanks filled with fish and other marine life, you could say aquariums, but aquaria, from the original Latin term, is also an acceptable plural.

Example Sentences

Meatloaf, who weighs more than 200 pounds, was rescued earlier this year after being found tangled in fishing line and rope in the San Gabriel River, aquarium staff said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Next is a trip to the aquarium for Bianca and Amelia - costing £32 and lasting about 90 minutes, plus £15 for two photos.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The proposals include an aquarium, 15 commercial units across the ground and lower-ground floors, cafés, bars, shops, workspaces, spaces for leisure and events, and around 140 residential apartments on the upper floors.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

A Chicago aquarium overcame one in a million odds to raise a warty frogfish.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

“Keep your hands flat,” said the aquarium worker to no one in particular—which was fine, because nobody was listening to him anyway.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin