bank

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A business that keeps money safe, lends money, and provides other financial services.

   Grammar: Use 'a bank' for one, 'banks' for more than one. Often followed by 'of' + country or name.

   Patterns

   • a bank account
   • go to the bank
   • bank loan

   I need to go to the bank to deposit this check.

   The bank approved their loan for a new house.

   She works at a bank in the city center.

2. 2nouncountable

   The land along the side of a river, lake, or canal.

   Grammar: Often used with 'river', 'lake', etc. The plural 'banks' means both sides.

   Patterns

   • river bank
   • on the bank
   • the banks of the river

   We sat on the bank and watched the boats go by.

   The house is built on the bank of a small lake.

   Fishermen lined the banks early in the morning.

3. 3nouncountable

   A large pile or mass of something, such as clouds, snow, or machines.

   Grammar: Usually followed by 'of' + noun: a bank of clouds.

   Patterns

   • a bank of clouds
   • a bank of snow
   • a bank of computers

   Dark banks of clouds gathered before the storm.

   The car skidded on a bank of snow at the side of the road.

   The office has a bank of computers for employees to use.

Word forms

Common combinations

bank account

I opened a new bank account last week.

bank loan

They took out a bank loan to start their business.

river bank

The river bank was covered in wild flowers.

bank of clouds

A bank of clouds blocked the sun.

Synonyms and how they differ

financial institution

A more formal term for a bank or similar organization.

shore

The land along the edge of a sea or lake; 'bank' is used for rivers and canals.

Word family

banker noun

A person who works in or owns a bank.

banking noun

The business of a bank.

Commonly confused: bank or bench?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bank”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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