Bank

Definition

Bank can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to a financial institution where people deposit, withdraw, and manage money. It can also mean a sloping area of land, particularly along the side of a river or road. As a verb, it means to deposit money in a bank or to tilt an object, especially an airplane, when turning.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /bæŋk/
• Respelling: bank

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /bæŋk/
• Respelling: bank

Etymology

The word "bank" originates from the Italian "banco," meaning "bench" or "counter," referring to the benches on which early bankers sat to conduct business. The term evolved in Middle English to mean both a financial institution and a raised area of land.

Derivatives

• Banker (noun)
• Banking (noun)
• Unbanked (adjective)
• Bankable (adjective)
• Rebank (verb)

Synonyms

• Financial institution
• Embankment
• Repository

Antonyms

• Debt
• Withdrawal
• Unbanked

Usage

The term "bank" is widely used in financial contexts, geography, and aeronautics. For example, "She deposited money in her bank," or "The plane banked as it turned."

Related Terms

• Credit: Money available for borrowing from a financial institution.
• Deposit: Money placed in a bank for safekeeping.
• Loan: A sum of money borrowed and expected to be repaid with interest.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A financial institution where money is deposited, withdrawn, or loaned: Refers to a place where financial transactions and services are provided.
  • Example: "She works at a major bank downtown."
• A sloping area of land, especially beside a river: Describes raised land typically found along waterways or roads.
  • Example: "They enjoyed a picnic on the river bank."

Verb

• To deposit money in a financial institution: Refers to placing money in a bank account for safekeeping or investment.
  • Example: "He decided to bank his savings for future expenses."
• To tilt an object, especially an airplane, when turning: Describes the act of inclining an object to aid in directional change, particularly in aviation.
  • Example: "The pilot banked the plane smoothly to the left."