What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cistern
Example
The old house had a cistern in the basement to collect rainwater. [cistern: noun]
Example
They installed a cistern to store water for irrigation purposes. [cistern: noun]
reservoir
Example
The city gets its water supply from a reservoir located outside the town. [reservoir: noun]
Example
The reservoir provides water for both irrigation and electricity generation. [reservoir: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reservoir is more commonly used than cistern in everyday language. Reservoir is a widely recognized term for large bodies of water used for water storage, while cistern is less common and often associated with smaller-scale water storage systems.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cistern and reservoir?
Both cistern and reservoir can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, reservoir may be more commonly used in technical or professional settings due to its broader applications and larger scale.
