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
Both species of black bass are found all across the nation in lakes, ponds, canals, rivers, reservoirs, and other bodies of water, with the largemouth being the king of the bass fishing world.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
With California snowpack and reservoirs at above-average levels following two wet winters, Gov. Gavin Newsom stood on a snowy field near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday and urged the state to do much more to make its water supplies resilient to the extreme droughts and flooding that come with climate change.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
State water officials on Tuesday said statewide reservoir levels are now at 116% of average.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
The first major reservoir has been announced since 1979, has federal funding already allocated, does not disrupt river flow and fisheries, and has minimal impact on the surrounding area.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
According to the city, the reservoir is inspected daily.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024
Elsewhere, the giant reservoirs of the Colorado River Basin, Lakes Mead and Powell, are now about one-third full, said Brad Udall, senior scientist at Colorado State University.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
Driving on a road beside the drained reservoir, Coffman stopped at a small waterfall cascading down a hillside in a thick stand of trees.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Johannesburg’s reservoirs have long struggled with fluctuating levels, affected by natural events and high consumption.
—Sarah Dean, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
With California snowpack and reservoirs at above-average levels following two wet winters, Gov. Gavin Newsom stood on a snowy field near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday and urged the state to do much more to make its water supplies resilient to the extreme droughts and flooding that come with climate change.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
State water officials on Tuesday said statewide reservoir levels are now at 116% of average.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
The first major reservoir has been announced since 1979, has federal funding already allocated, does not disrupt river flow and fisheries, and has minimal impact on the surrounding area.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
According to the city, the reservoir is inspected daily.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024
Elsewhere, the giant reservoirs of the Colorado River Basin, Lakes Mead and Powell, are now about one-third full, said Brad Udall, senior scientist at Colorado State University.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
Driving on a road beside the drained reservoir, Coffman stopped at a small waterfall cascading down a hillside in a thick stand of trees.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Johannesburg’s reservoirs have long struggled with fluctuating levels, affected by natural events and high consumption.
—Sarah Dean, CNN, 24 Mar. 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 16 Apr. 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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