HomeDictionaryBbank

Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.

bank

/bæŋk/

The word "bank" is a homonym, meaning it has several different meanings that are not related to each other. For example, a financial bank and a river bank have completely different origins. When using "bank" as a verb to mean 'rely on', it is almost always used with the preposition "on" (e.g., "bank on something"). In aviation, "banking" refers specifically to the angle of the aircraft, not the movement of the plane forward.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon; Mark is ostensibly in a quarterly review meeting while David is in his office.
David Smith

Mark, you're late. Don't bank on me covering for you this time.

David Smith
Mark
Mark

My bad chief, totally spaced it. I'll slide in now.

💡
David uses the phrasal verb 'bank on' (meaning to rely or depend on) to warn Mark that he will not protect him from management's notice. Mark responds with 'my bad' and 'spaced it', which are casual slang terms for admitting a mistake and forgetting something.

Meanings

noun

A financial institution licensed to receive deposits and make loans.

"I need to go to the bank to deposit this check."

noun

The sloping land beside a body of water, such as a river.

"We sat on the river bank and watched the boats pass by."

noun

A reserve or stock of something stored for future use.

"The hospital maintains a blood bank for emergencies."

verb (transitive)

To deposit money into a financial account.

"She banks her entire paycheck every Friday."

verb (transitive)

To rely or depend on something with confidence.

"I wouldn't bank on the weather being sunny tomorrow."

verb (intransitive)

To tilt an aircraft during a turn to change direction.

"The pilot banked the plane steeply to the left."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error