aquaponics

American  

[ak-wuh-pon-iks, ah-kwuh‐] / ˌæk wəˈpɒn ɪks, ˌɑ kwə‐ /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a farming system that circulates wastewater from animal aquaculture to hydroponically cultivated plants, whereby the plants draw nutrients from the waste and filter the water, allowing for its recycled use by the aquatic animals.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• aquaponic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of aquaponics

First recorded in 1980–85; aqua- ( def. ) + (geo)ponics ( def. )

Example Sentences

Smith uses project-based learning to teach his classes, letting students develop their own engineering project ideas like building racing drones and electronic skateboards — or using aquaponics to grow vegetables.

From Washington Post • Apr. 2, 2023

Garcia said he created ways to recycle irrigation water in raised vegetable beds and recently added aquaponics to the equation, recycling water from his koi pond to nourish his vegetable plants.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2022

Coe’s greenhouse is split into two sides: The dirt side and the aquaponics side.

From Washington Times • Mar. 13, 2021

Babcock began volunteering with the garden in 2015, after he experimented with an aquaponics project in his backyard.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2020

There’s a food-generating aquaponics facility, and an aviary for the endangered Bali starling.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2017