evapotranspiration

American  

[ih-vap-oh-tran-spuh-rey-shuhn] / ɪˌvæp oʊˌtræn spəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

Meteorology.

1. the process of transferring moisture from the earth to the atmosphere by evaporation of water and transpiration from plants.

2. Also called water loss.  Also called flyoff.  the total volume transferred by this process.

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evapotranspiration British  

/ ɪˌvæpəʊˌtrænspəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the return of water vapour to the atmosphere by evaporation from land and water surfaces and by the transpiration of vegetation

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Usage

What is evapotranspiration? Evapotranspiration is the process of moisture moving from the earth to the atmosphere through water evaporation and plant transpiration. Evapotranspiration refers to the moving of water and moisture from the soil and plants to the atmosphere. Evaporation is water in the soil surface becoming vapor as the result of temperature and other factors. The hotter it is, for example, the more water that will evaporate.Transpiration is a plant releasing water as vapor through its leaves. Transpiration helps a plant regulate its internal temperature. Corn, a crop grown in much of the Midwestern United States, is well known for transpiring to regulate its internal temperature, for example.Because water moves to the atmosphere from a wide variety of sources, the term evapotranspiration is sometimes used broadly to describe any evaporation or movement of water from the earth to the atmosphere, even from sources other than plants and soil. Example: Evapotranspiration is a vital part of all major rainforest ecosystems.

Etymology

Origin of evapotranspiration

First recorded in 1945–50; evapo(ration) + transpiration

Example Sentences

Green spaces moderate temperature through shading and by increasing the amount of water that passes into the air through a process called evapotranspiration, but there tends to be fewer shaded spaces in urban areas.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

As air temperatures warm, trees release water into the atmosphere through a process called evapotranspiration.

From National Geographic • Jan. 17, 2024

In the future shown by the maps we see an increase in reference evapotranspiration, going from the current data of between 1,300 and 1,600mm to 1,9000mm in 2100.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2023

Other traditional approaches to agriculture have their own climate benefits: “Lo‘i do a lot to support a resilient ecosystem,” says Lincoln of how the wetlands recharge aquifers, reduce flooding potential and enhance evapotranspiration.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2023

Green spaces and vegetation play a vital role in reducing surface temperatures through evapotranspiration, where plants release water to the surrounding air, dissipating ambient heat.

From Reuters