water right

noun

1. the right to make use of the water from a particular stream, lake, or irrigation canal.

water right

noun

1. the right to make use of a water supply, as for irrigation

Word History and Origins

Origin of water right¹

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95

Example Sentences

They have long bemoaned that their property rights, grazing rights and water rights are under siege.

From Los Angeles Times

People didn’t want to pay for water rights.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are running out of water right across the UK," she said.

From BBC

The commission's brief covered a wide gamut of issues including land and water rights, cultural violations, killing and genocide, health, education and housing.

From BBC

The revelations about Nestle piping water from the forest sparked an outpouring of opposition and prompted several complaints to California regulators questioning the company’s water rights claims, which led to the state investigation.

From Los Angeles Times