irrigation

[ ir-i-gey-shuh n ]

/ ˌɪr ɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR irrigation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the artificial application of water to land to assist in the production of crops.

Medicine/Medical. the flushing or washing out of anything with water or other liquid.

the state of being irrigated.

Nearby words

irreversible, irreversible pulpitis, irrevocable, irrigable, irrigate, irrigation, irrigative, irriguous, irritability, irritable, irritable bowel syndrome

Origin of irrigation

First recorded in 1605–15, irrigation is from the Latin word irrigātiōn- (stem of irrigātiō). See irrigate, -ion

Related forms

ir·ri·ga·tion·al, adjectivenon·ir·ri·ga·tion, nouno·ver·ir·ri·ga·tion, nounpre·ir·ri·ga·tion, noun

pre·ir·ri·ga·tion·al, adjectivepro·ir·ri·ga·tion, adjectivere·ir·ri·ga·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for irrigation

Each year their fields need at least 53 billion cubic meters of water for irrigation.
The Aral Sea's Disappearing Act|Anna Nemtsova|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The air mixed with fertilizers and pesticides that for decades were washed from the fields into the sea by irrigation water.
The Aral Sea's Disappearing Act|Anna Nemtsova|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It thus falls to IS to provide drinking water and irrigation to massive areas of farmland.
The ISIS Caliphate’s Frightening First Month|Charlie Winter|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Egypt's future irrigation and industrial needs require a major increase in the northward flow of the Nile River.
Open Memorandum: Elements of a Possible Peace Deal in Sudan|George Clooney, John Prendergast|November 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Later: a tall, silo-like cement building, apparently used for irrigation.
My Night on the Border|Bryan Curtis|May 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I'd rather settle on the water; at least, until some gigantic system of irrigation is perfected in the West.
While the Billy Boils|Henry Lawson
Flat land, with a gentle slope, is best suited for irrigation.
The Home Medical Library, Volume V (of VI)|Various
Here is a fine creek for mills and irrigation, good land for cultivation, fine pasturage, timber and stone for building.
How Marcus Whitman Saved Oregon|Oliver W. Nixon
It is the oldest form of irrigation; the hieroglyphics show that it was in use in Egypt five thousand years ago.
The Ship Dwellers|Albert Bigelow Paine
Not even the fertility of the irrigation waters will maintain the land in the face of poor agricultural practice.
The Country-Life Movement in the United States|L.H. Bailey

Word Origin and History for irrigation

irrigation

"a supplying of water to land," 1610s, from Latin irrigationem (nominative irrigatio) "a watering," noun of action from past participle stem of irrigare (see irrigate).

Culture definitions for irrigation

irrigation

Artificial provision of water to sustain growing plants.

Note

Irrigation accounts for the greatest part of water usage in the western United States.

irrigation

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of irrigation

Examples from the Web for irrigation

Word Origin and History for irrigation

irrigation

Culture definitions for irrigation

irrigation

Note