reservoir

/ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)/

//ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"reservoir" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“reservoir” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #8,341. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#8,341
frequency rank, English
21,470
“R” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A place where anything is kept in store.

Key facts for reservoir
PropertyValue
Headwordreservoir
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)/
Letters9
Frequency rank#8,341
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “reservoir” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). reservoir lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 13 spelling variants around reservoir (IPA /ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #8,341 among 21,470 “R” headwords. Wiktionary lists 6 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for reservoir, with forms such as "erservoir", "reesrvoir", and "reserovir". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. No close-neighbour confusable shows up for this headword in our dataset, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From French réservoir (“collection place”) (fig.), réservoir (“storehouse”) (lit.). in turn from French réserver (“to reserve, keep”). The correct English form is reservoir, spelled R-E-S-E-R-V-O-I-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    A place where anything is kept in store.
  2. 2
    A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply.
  3. 3
    A small intercellular space, often containing resin, essential oil, or some other secreted matter.
  4. 4
    A supply or source of something.
  5. 5
    A species that acts as host to a zoonosis when it is not causing acute illness in other susceptible species.
  6. 6
    A "black box" component that receives an input signal to be read out and mapped by another process, as part of reservoir computing.

Etymology

From French réservoir (“collection place”) (fig.), réservoir (“storehouse”) (lit.). in turn from French réserver (“to reserve, keep”).

This word in other languages

embalse(Español)réservoir(Français)Reservoir(Deutsch)reservatório(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • erservoir
  • reesrvoir
  • reserovir
  • reserrvoir
  • reservior
  • reservoirr
  • reservori
  • reservvoir
  • resevroir
  • resrevoir
  • resservoir
  • rreservoir
  • rseervoir

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of reservoir - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

erservoir2reesrvoir2reserovir2reserrvoir1reservior2reservoirr1reservori2reservvoir1
Edit distance from "reservoir"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "reservoir"?
"reservoir" is spelled R-E-S-E-R-V-O-I-R. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)/.
What does "reservoir" mean?
As a noun, "reservoir" means: A place where anything is kept in store.
What are common misspellings of "reservoir"?
Common misspellings include "erservoir", "reesrvoir", "reserovir", "reserrvoir", "reservior". The correct spelling is "reservoir".
How do you pronounce "reservoir"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "reservoir" is /ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "reservoir"?
From French réservoir (“collection place”) (fig.), réservoir (“storehouse”) (lit.). in turn from French réserver (“to reserve, keep”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “reservoir”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is R-E-S-E-R-V-O-I-R - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɹɛz.ə.vwɑː(ɹ)/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list