Etymology
Origin of watering
before 1000; Middle English (noun); Old English wæterung. See water, -ing 1, -ing 2
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.
BMA resident doctor committee chair Dr Jack Fletcher accused the government of watering down elements of the deal at the last minute.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
On the way home, I stop by one of my watering holes for cocktails and a light meal.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
The rain pours down so often that you can’t help but snort when the film cuts to Whitford’s granddad angrily watering his lawn.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026
New York’s White Horse Tavern, established in 1880, and Fraunces Tavern, site of Washington’s 1783 farewell to his troops, have become so popular with tourists, they more closely resemble theme parks than local watering holes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
She's bent over the potted plants in the kitchen windowsill, watering them and putting her face so close it's like she's thinking of licking their leaves or something.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
