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Definition of "cistern" [cis•tern]

  • A receptacle for holding water or other liquid, especially a tank for catching and storing rainwater. (noun)
  • Anatomy A cisterna. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "cistern" in a sentence
  • "The water from the cistern is then used to irrigate the landscaping around the four-bedroom home, (which) uses indigenous grasses, shrubs, and flowers to complete the exterior treatment of the home."
  • "Not only does the rush of water into the cistern disturb any sleepers on the Prince of Wales Road side of the house, but my cistern is afflicted with peculiarly loud gurglings and thumpings, while frequently the pipes emit a loud groaning sound."
  • "Each year there seems to be less and less water sent into my cistern from the city."