Reservoir

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɹɛz.É™.vwɑː(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /ˈɹɛzÉ™vwɔɹ/

Origin

From French réservoir, from réserver ("to reserve, keep").

Full definition of reservoir

Noun

1. A place where anything is kept in store; especially, a place where water is collected and kept for use when wanted, as to supply a fountain, a canal, or a city by means of aqueducts.
2. A small intercellular space, often containing resin, essential oil, or some other secreted matter.
3. A supply or source of something.
• 2013, Katie L. Burke, In the News, Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

Derived terms

• water reservoir
• receiving reservoir
• oil reservoir
• petroleum reservoir

Related terms

• reserve