bulk tank

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   a large container used for storing or transporting liquids or loose materials in large amounts.

   Grammar: Countable: a bulk tank, two bulk tanks. Often used with 'in' when talking about storage: stored in a bulk tank.

   Patterns

   • a bulk tank for something
   • store something in a bulk tank
   • fill a bulk tank

   The milk is cooled and stored in a bulk tank on the farm.

   They installed a new bulk tank for the dairy operation.

   The chemical is delivered in a bulk tank rather than in small drums.

2. 2nouncountable

   a tank on a farm that holds milk until it is collected.

   Grammar: Countable and often used in the phrase 'milk bulk tank'. Common in dairy farming contexts.

   Patterns

   • milk bulk tank
   • the bulk tank is full
   • clean the bulk tank

   The bulk tank was emptied every morning by the milk truck.

   Farmers must keep the bulk tank at the right temperature.

   He checked the bulk tank before the collection arrived.

Word forms

Common combinations

milk bulk tank

The milk bulk tank holds hundreds of gallons.

store in a bulk tank

The oil is stored in a bulk tank outside.

fill a bulk tank

They fill the bulk tank with fresh milk each day.

bulk tank capacity

The bulk tank capacity is 2,000 liters.

Synonyms and how they differ

storage tank

Storage tank is a more general term for any large container for storage; bulk tank often implies handling large quantities, especially in farming or industry.

silo

A silo is usually a tall tower for storing grain or silage; a bulk tank is typically for liquids or loose materials and may be horizontal.

Word family

bulk noun

Large quantity or mass.

tank noun

A large container for liquid or gas.

Commonly confused: bulk tank or bulkhead?

Practice

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