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Synonyms

tanker

American  
[tang-ker] / ˈtæŋ kər /

noun

  1. a ship, airplane, or truck designed for bulk shipment of liquids or gases.

  2. a tank trailer or tank truck.

verb (used with object)

  1. to transport by tanker.

tanker British  
/ ˈtæŋkə /

noun

  1. a ship, lorry, or aeroplane designed to carry liquid in bulk, such as oil

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tanker

First recorded in 1895–1900; tank + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last week, a Russian-owned tanker carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil became the first crude oil shipment to dock in one of Cuba's ports since early January.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The announcement from Havana comes after the U.S. this week permitted an oil tanker from Russia carrying 700,000 barrels to dock in the Cuban capital.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

On Sunday, the New York Times reported that the United States would allow a Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba this week, the nation’s first oil delivery since Jan. 9.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Oil prices dropped sharply Wednesday after a volatile day of trading as investors assessed the likelihood of war ending and of tanker traffic resuming through a contested waterway.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

David grabbed the tiller and tried to keep the stern aimed at the side of the tanker, but without any forward movement she wouldn’t steer, couldn’t turn.

From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.