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Lexical entry · EN · standard

bank

/bæŋk/

Current editorial scope covers four high-value contemporary uses: financial institutions, river edges, organized reserves, and confident reliance. Other topographic, aviation, arrangement, and banking-verb senses remain outside this initial slice.

wordcount noun · finance and reservescount noun · terrainphrasal verb · bank on
01Financial institutionAn institution that accepts deposits, makes loans, and provides related money services.Details

Formal definition

A financial institution whose core activities include receiving deposits and extending credit, often alongside payment, exchange, and safekeeping services.

In plain English

An organization where people or businesses keep money, borrow money, and use other financial services.

Choose the right word

Nearby, not interchangeable

1
  • credit unionnear synonym

    A member-owned cooperative that provides financial services.

    Both may accept deposits and make loans, but a credit union is organized as a member-owned cooperative.
    Do not treat the ownership models as interchangeable.

Core relations

Meaning neighborhood

1
  • lenderassociated with

    A person or institution that provides funds on the expectation of repayment.

    Lending is a core bank activity, but lender names a role rather than the full institution.

Patterns

How it behaves

1
bank accountbank + account

Names an account held with a banking institution.

“The studio opened a bank account for project expenses.”

Examples

In a sentence

2
“She stopped at the bank to arrange an international transfer.”
“The bank accepted the deposit and reviewed the loan application.”

Research trail

Sources consulted

2
  • bankMerriam-Webster

    Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, entry for bank.

    Open source
  • What Is a Bank?Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

    FDIC Consumer Resource Center, Chapter 1: What Is a Bank?

    Open source
Sense keybank-noun-financialRelations2Evidence2 research sources · 2 verified examples
02River edgeThe sloping or raised ground along the edge of a river or stream.Details

Formal definition

The ground that bounds a river or stream on either side, typically understood as rising or sloping away from the water.

In plain English

The land beside a river or stream.

Choose the right word

Nearby, not interchangeable

2
  • shorenear synonym

    Land along the edge of a body of water.

    Both name land at water's edge, while bank most strongly evokes rivers and streams.
    Shore extends more naturally to lakes and seas.
  • embankmentnear synonym

    A raised bank built to restrain water or support a route.

    Both can describe a raised slope, but embankment usually foregrounds construction or engineering.
    A river bank may be entirely natural.

Examples

In a sentence

1
“A line of alders followed the far bank of the stream.”

Research trail

Sources consulted

1
  • bankCambridge University Press & Assessment

    Cambridge Dictionary, entry for bank.

    Open source
Sense keybank-noun-riverRelations2Evidence1 research source · 1 verified example
03Organized reserveA supply, store, or set kept available for later use.Details

Formal definition

An organized reserve or storage facility from which material, information, or capacity can later be retrieved or used.

In plain English

A stored supply kept ready for future use.

Choose the right word

Nearby, not interchangeable

1
  • repositorynear synonym

    A place or system in which things are stored and maintained.

    Both involve storage, but repository emphasizes the containing place or system while bank can emphasize the reserve itself.
    Container and contents should not be collapsed.

Patterns

How it behaves

1
a bank of …a bank of + plural or mass noun

Presents the following things as an organized supply or array.

“A bank of monitors filled the control room wall.”

Examples

In a sentence

1
“The archive maintains a bank of reference images for conservators.”

Research trail

Sources consulted

1
  • bankMerriam-Webster

    Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, entry for bank.

    Open source
Sense keybank-noun-reserveRelations1Evidence1 research source · 1 verified example
04Rely confidentlyTo depend on someone, something, or an expected outcome.Details

Formal definition

To place confidence in a person, condition, or anticipated event as something dependable or likely.

In plain English

To count on someone or something.

Core relations

Meaning neighborhood

2
  • count onnear synonym

    To depend on or expect with confidence.

    Count on is the closest everyday equivalent for confident dependence or expectation.
  • doubtantonym

    Uncertainty or lack of confidence about a person, claim, or outcome.

    Doubt withholds the confidence that bank on expresses.

Patterns

How it behaves

1
bank onbank on + noun phrase / -ing clause / clause

Places the relied-upon person, condition, or outcome after on.

“We cannot bank on the weather remaining calm.”

Examples

In a sentence

1
“You can bank on Noor to notice the discrepancy.”

Research trail

Sources consulted

1
  • bank on someone/somethingCambridge University Press & Assessment

    Cambridge Dictionary, entry for bank on someone/something.

    Open source
Sense keybank-verb-relyRelations2Evidence1 research source · 1 verified example

Forms and pronunciation

How it appears

inflection
banked
headword
bank/bæŋk/
headword
bank/bæŋk/
headword
bank/bæŋk/