What is bank? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of bank in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of bank

banknoun

ngân hàng

/baŋk/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>bank</strong>

Where does the word bank come from?

The origin of the word "bank" dates back to ancient times. In Old Norse, the word "benga" or "bang" meant "edge" or "slope". This is because early banking was often done along the edges of rivers or hills, where merchants would store valuable goods. The term "bank" initially referred to the physical edge or slope where money changers and traders would conduct business. As cities and trade developed, the term "bank" evolved to refer to the institution that provided financial services. By the 18th century, the term "bank" became associated with the concept of depositing and withdrawing funds, and the idea of banking as we know it today began to take shape. Today, the word "bank" is used to describe a financial institution that accepts deposits and makes loans, as well as the edge or slope itself.

Vocabulary summary bank

typenoun

meaningdyke, berm, mound (of earth, rock)

examplehe banks one tenth of his salary every month

meaningbank (of river, lake, canal, creek, field...)

exampleto break the bank

meaningpile

examplebig banks of snow

typeverb

meaningdike

examplehe banks one tenth of his salary every month

meaningpile up

exampleto break the bank

meaningtilt (car, plane when turning)

examplebig banks of snow

Example of vocabulary bankfor money

meaning

an organization that provides various financial services, for example keeping or lending money

  • I don't have much money in the bank at the end of the month.
  • I need to go to the bank (= the local office of a bank).
  • We are now in competition with the big foreign banks.
  • Major banks are increasing the amount they lend to small companies.
  • He got a large loan from the bank.

Example of vocabulary bankin gambling

meaning

a supply of money or things that are used as money in some games, especially those in which gambling is involved

Example of vocabulary banksomething collected/stored

meaning

an amount of something that is collected; a place where something is stored ready for use

  • a bank of knowledge
  • a blood/sperm bank
  • They intend to establish a bank of information which will be accessible to the public.

Example of vocabulary bankfor recycling

meaning

a place or container where something may be placed for recycling

  • Take old clothes and shoes to the local recycling bank.

Example of vocabulary bankof river/canal

meaning

the side of a river, canal, etc. and the land near it

  • We strolled along the river bank.
  • He jumped in and swam to the opposite bank.
  • a house on the banks of the River Severn (= on land near the river)
  • It's on the north bank of the Thames.
  • The river burst its banks after heavy rain.

Example of vocabulary bankslope

meaning

a raised area of ground that slopes at the sides, often at the edge of something or dividing something

  • There were low banks of earth between the rice fields.
  • The girls ran down the steep grassy bank.
meaning

an artificial slope built at the side of a road, so that cars can drive fast around bends

Example of vocabulary bankof cloud/snow, etc.

meaning

a mass of cloud, snow, etc., especially one formed by the wind

  • The sun disappeared behind a bank of clouds.

Example of vocabulary bankof machines, etc.

meaning

a row or series of similar objects, especially machines

  • a bank of lights/computers
  • She was faced with a huge bank of switches and buttons.
  • She was working a phone bank for the Democrats.

Synonyms and related words for bank

Idioms of vocabulary bank

the Bank of Mum and Dad
(British English, informal)financial support from your parents, especially when you are an adult
  • Without support from the Bank of Mum and Dad, they could find themselves locked out of the housing market.
laugh all the way to the bank
(informal)to make a lot of money easily and feel very pleased about it
    not break the bank
    (informal, humorous)if you say something won’t break the bank, you mean that it won’t cost a lot of money, or more than you can afford
    • We can just get a sandwich if you want—that won’t break the bank.

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