evapotranspiration
Americannoun
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the process of transferring moisture from the earth to the atmosphere by evaporation of water and transpiration from plants.
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Also called water loss, flyoff. the total volume transferred by this process.
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When leaves release water vapor through their stomata, they start the process of evapotranspiration, which draws water up to the tallest part of a plant, like a beverage being sucked through a straw.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
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
Thus, with these new models, "by having a variable that is very economical to measure quite accurately and reliably, such as air temperature, we can ascertain the reference evapotranspiration," thereby facilitating the process.
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
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