piggy bank

American  

noun

1. a small bank, having the shape of a pig, provided with a slot at the top to receive small coins.

2. any small bank in which coins are kept.

---

piggy bank British  

noun

1. a child's coin bank shaped like a pig with a slot for coins

---

Etymology

Origin of piggy bank

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

My makeshift piggy bank has arrived in the nick of time.

From Literature

As oil prices dropped and PdVSA became a piggy bank for Chávez’s pet projects, including the sale of chickens, oil production slumped.

From The Wall Street Journal

That isn’t enough to sway the gladiatorial majority, which is mostly made up of men grinning at the fattening piggy bank suspended above them.

From Salon

"I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone to shake," he told reporters.

From BBC

But many retailers have criticised the move, and on Sunday the boss of M&S, Stuart Machin, said retailers were being "raided like a piggy bank" given the changes to various taxes.

From BBC

Related Words

• cache
• reserve fund
• savings
• savings account
• stash
• stockpile