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definitions

irrigation

[ ir-i-gey-shuh n ]
/ ˌɪr ɪˈgeɪ ʃən /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

inundation, flooding, sprinkling, soaking

Nearby words

  1. irreversible,
  2. irreversible pulpitis,
  3. irrevocable,
  4. irrigable,
  5. irrigate,
  6. irrigative,
  7. irriguous,
  8. irritability,
  9. irritable,
  10. 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for irrigation

Word Origin and History for irrigation

irrigation

n.

"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).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.