reservoir
noun
res·er·voir
ˈre-zə-ˌvwär 
-zər-
-ˌvwȯr
-zər-
-ˌvwȯr
also -ˌvȯi
1
2
: an extra supply : reserve
3
a
: a host organism in which an infectious agent (such as a bacterium or virus) that is pathogenic for some other species lives and multiplies typically without damaging the host
Note: A reservoir serves as a source from which transmission of infection and outbreaks of disease can occur.
It is the white-footed mouse that serves as a natural reservoir host for the spirochete B. [Borrelia] burgdorferi. These mice carry the spirochete without any apparent harm to themselves, and it is through feeding on infected mice that the immature stages of the tick acquire the spirochete.—
Suzanne Clothier et al.
Suzanne Clothier et al.
also
: a nonliving thing (such as soil or water) in which an infectious agent lives and multiplies and which serves as a source of infection similar to a host organism
b
: a part of the body that harbors an infectious agent and serves as a source of reinfection or infection transmission
… vulvar or rectal reservoirs, which might increase risk for BV [bacterial vaginosis] recurrence.—Lisa E. Manhart et al.
compare carrier sense 5a, vector entry 1 sense 2a
Lisa E. Manhart et al.Synonyms
Examples of reservoir in a Sentence
The pen has a large ink reservoir.
Colleges and universities provide reservoirs of talent for job recruiters.
She found the reservoirs of energy she needed to finish the job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Due to the drought, major reservoirs for power plants including Mazar and Paute have almost run dry, while the biggest power plant, Coca-Codo Sinclair, has a water flow 40% below average.
—TIME, 18 Apr. 2024
There’s also the Blue Holes National Park, home to 40,000 acres that include freshwater reservoirs and blue holes.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2024
The latest federal projections show the reservoir is expected to remain above that level for the next two years.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
This Star Telegram’s interactive map shows you how much water is in the reservoir nearest you.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
The Chuza and San Rafael reservoirs, part of the Chingaza System that provides 70% of the city’s drinking water, are at particularly critical positions, according to local authorities.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The app will tell you when the reservoir is ready for a refill.
—Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
The majority of California’s reservoirs are above their historic average levels following the end of two wet winters.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024
With California’s reservoirs brimming, this is the moment to strengthen our long-term water future, before the next drought.
—Cynthia Koehler, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
TIME, 18 Apr. 2024
There’s also the Blue Holes National Park, home to 40,000 acres that include freshwater reservoirs and blue holes.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2024
The latest federal projections show the reservoir is expected to remain above that level for the next two years.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
This Star Telegram’s interactive map shows you how much water is in the reservoir nearest you.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
The Chuza and San Rafael reservoirs, part of the Chingaza System that provides 70% of the city’s drinking water, are at particularly critical positions, according to local authorities.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The app will tell you when the reservoir is ready for a refill.
—Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
The majority of California’s reservoirs are above their historic average levels following the end of two wet winters.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024
With California’s reservoirs brimming, this is the moment to strengthen our long-term water future, before the next drought.
—Cynthia Koehler, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reservoir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reservoir
Cite this Entry
“Reservoir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reservoir. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reservoir
noun
res·er·voir
ˈrez-ə(r)v-ˌwär
-ə(r)v-ˌ(w)ȯr
-ə(r)v-ˌ(w)ȯr
1
: a place where something is kept in store
especially
: an artificial or natural lake where water is collected as a water supply
2
: an extra supply : reserve
3
: a living thing (as a fly or mouse) in which a parasite (as a bacterium) that is harmful to some other living thing lives and multiplies
Etymology
from French réservoir "place where something is kept in reserve," from reserver "to reserve, keep for future use"
Medical Definition
reservoir
noun
res·er·voir
ˈrez-ə(r)v-ˌwär
-ə(r)v-ˌ(w)ȯr
-ə(r)v-ˌ(w)ȯr
1
: a space (as an enlargement of a vessel or the cavity of a glandular acinus) in which a body fluid is stored
2
a
: a host organism in which an infectious agent (as a bacterium or virus) that is pathogenic for some other species lives and multiplies typically without damaging the host
Note: A reservoir serves as a source from which transmission of infection and outbreaks of disease can occur.
Wild rodents also constitute a reservoir of hantaviruses. The viruses are shed in urine, droppings, and saliva, and humans are mainly infected aerogenically by inhaling aerosols containing the virus.—Hilde Kruse et al., Emerging Infectious Diseases
Hilde Kruse et al., Emerging Infectious Diseases
also
: a nonliving thing (as soil or water) in which an infectious agent lives and multiplies and which serves as a source of infection similar to a host organism
b
: a part of the body that harbors an infectious agent and serves as a source of reinfection or infection transmission
… vulvar or rectal reservoirs, which might increase risk for BV [bacterial vaginosis] recurrence.—Lisa E. Manhart et al., Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
carrier sense 1a, vector entry 1 sense 2
Lisa E. Manhart et al., Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and GynecologyLove words? Need even more definitions?
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