acequia

American  

[uh-sey-kyuh, ah-se-kyah] / əˈseɪ kyə, ɑˈsɛ kyɑ /

noun

Southwestern U.S.

plural

acequias

1. an irrigation ditch.

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Etymology

Origin of acequia

1835–45, < Spanish < Arabic al-sāqiyah the irrigation ditch

Explanation

An acequia is a trench that's used to irrigate farmland. Acequias are common throughout the Americas, from Argentina to Colorado. The Spanish word acequia has an Arabic root, al-sāqiyah, "one that bears water." In parts of Mexico and Spain, irrigation canals have long been known as acequias. These watercourses, and the Spanish word for them, spread into parts of the U.S. that were once Spanish colonies. Some acequias still functioning today in Colorado and New Mexico were dug more than 400 years ago.

Example Sentences

He turned a wheel that opened an acequia and flooded the field with clear, cold water.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

“There was always a sense of accomplishment but now what we’re witnessing is we can’t do it all the time anymore because we don’t have the water,” she said during a tour with acequia officials.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2021

In Taos, acequia leaders have bumped up annual cleaning to the fall so they don’t miss out on early runoff.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2021

Traditionally, the acequia growing season in much of New Mexico had been from April to October.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2021

He came to where I stood directing the waters of the acequia down the rows of corn.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya