spray tank: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Agricultural / Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “spray tank” mean?
A container designed to hold liquid (typically a chemical mixture like pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer) for dispersal under pressure through a spraying apparatus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A container designed to hold liquid (typically a chemical mixture like pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer) for dispersal under pressure through a spraying apparatus.
Any reservoir, often portable or vehicle-mounted, used to store and dispense a pressurized liquid spray. In broader contexts, can metaphorically refer to a source or container of something being widely distributed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The equipment is identical. Spelling and core terminology are the same.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. Associated with farming, landscaping, pest control, and firefighting contexts.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language but standard within the relevant technical fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “spray tank” in a Sentence
[verb] + spray tank: fill, clean, mount, attach, pressurise, calibratespray tank + [verb]: holds, leaks, supplies, feedsspray tank + [prepositional phrase]: for pesticides, on the tractor, with a capacity ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spray tank” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. Can be a noun modifier in compounds: 'spray-tank capacity', 'spray-tank manufacturer']
American English
- [See British note]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In sales catalogues for agricultural equipment: 'The model features a 500-litre stainless steel spray tank.'
Academic
In agricultural engineering papers: 'The distribution uniformity was affected by pressure fluctuations in the spray tank.'
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by gardeners: 'I need to clean out the spray tank before switching herbicides.'
Technical
Standard term in manuals and specifications: 'Ensure the spray tank breather is not blocked before pressurisation.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spray tank”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spray tank”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spray tank”
- Using 'spray tank' as a verb (e.g., 'I will spray tank the field'). The verb is 'to spray'. 'Tank' is part of the noun.
- Confusing it with a 'fuel tank' or 'water tank' which are not specifically for pressurised spraying.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. The 'spray tank' is specifically the liquid-holding container, which is a key component of a 'sprayer'. A 'sprayer' refers to the entire apparatus, including the tank, pump, hoses, and nozzles.
It's possible, but the term is more specific to the application of chemicals under pressure. For simple watering, terms like 'watering can', 'spray bottle', or 'irrigation tank' are more common.
It is a compound noun, typically written as two separate words: 'spray tank'. It may be hyphenated ('spray-tank') when used as a modifier before another noun (e.g., 'spray-tank capacity'), though the open form is also common.
Common materials include polyethylene plastic (for corrosion resistance and light weight), stainless steel (for durability and chemical inertness), and fibreglass.
A container designed to hold liquid (typically a chemical mixture like pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer) for dispersal under pressure through a spraying apparatus.
Spray tank is usually technical / agricultural / horticultural in register.
Spray tank: in British English it is pronounced /spreɪ tæŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /spreɪ tæŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated. Potential metaphorical use: 'He's a walking spray tank of gossip.']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TANK (like a military one) that doesn't fire shells but SPRAYS water or chemicals over a field.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE/CONTAINER for a dispersed substance (cf. 'a font of knowledge').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'spray tank'?