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Synonyms

waterworks

American  
[waw-ter-wurks, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌwɜrks, ˈwɒt ər- /

noun

plural

waterworks

  1. (used with a singular or plural verb) a complete system of reservoirs, pipelines, conduits, etc., by which water is collected, purified, stored, and pumped to urban users.

  2. (used with a singular verb) a pumping station or a purifying station of such a system.

  3. (usually used with a plural verb) Sometimes waterwork a spectacular display of water, mechanically produced, as for a pageant.

  4. (used with a singular or plural verb) tears, or the source of tears.

    to turn on the waterworks.

  5. Slang. the kidneys.

waterworks British  
/ ˈwɔːtəˌwɜːks /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) an establishment for storing, purifying, and distributing water for community supply

  2. (functioning as plural) a display of water in movement, as in fountains

  3. informal (functioning as plural) the urinary system, esp with reference to its normal functioning

    he has trouble with his waterworks

  4. informal (functioning as plural) crying; tears

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
waterworks Idioms  

  1. see turn on the waterworks.

Etymology

Origin of waterworks

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; water + works ( def. ) (in the sense “manufacturing establishment”)

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.

The same mystery donor had previously given 500,000 yen in cash for municipal waterworks, he added.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

The donation worth $3.6 million was made in November by a person who a month earlier had already given $3,300 in cash for the municipal waterworks, Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama told a press conference.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

The efficacy of Deen’s waterworks will depend on how much the viewer is willing to buy.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2025

With tourism accounting for more than 90% of the island’s economy, local authorities are seeking government approval to expand the airport, ferry transportation, waterworks, electricity network and roads.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

She didn’t want them to be there for the all-too-frequent waterworks.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway

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.