detank

D2E1T1A1N1K5

verb

To empty (some substance) from a tank.

Scrabble 11
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Meanings

verbdetank (third-person singular simple present detanks, present participle detanking, simple past and past participle detanked)

present singular third person detanks · participle present detanking · participle past detanked · past detanked

  1. transitivespace flight; US space program; space flight; US space programTo empty (some substance) from a tank.

    During the test, the conformal skin heaters were operated and exercised to simulate various thermal conditions; the cabin was pressurized and depressurized; simulated propellant was detanked; […]

    1974, NASA technical note (part 7612, page 53)
  2. transitivespace flight; US space program; space flight; US space programTo empty (a vehicle or equipment, or its tanks).

    The number two oxygen tank in the Service Module could not be detanked properly after the countdown demonstration test.

    1970, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Symposium Proceedings, volumes 14-15, page 127

Origin

From de- + tank.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

tanked
Cite this entry
APA

detank. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detank

MLA

“detank.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detank. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “detank,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detank.

Source: detank on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.