waterworks

[ waw-ter-wurks, wot-er- ]

noun

, plural wa·ter·works.

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. Sometimes waterwork. (usually used with a plural verb) a spectacular display of water, mechanically produced, as for a pageant.
4. (used with a singular or plural verb) Slang. tears, or the source of tears:

   to turn on the waterworks.

5. Slang. the kidneys.

waterworks

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of waterworks¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see turn on the waterworks .

Example Sentences

Below, a waterworks at Tokyo Disneyland gets interrupted by the 8.9 quake.

From The Daily Beast

The waterworks tend to switch on at moments of teeth-grinding stress and sweet relief.

From The Daily Beast

Today Pat Brown is remembered as a builder—of freeways and universities and waterworks.

From The Daily Beast

Turn to the left into the Chausse de Furnes, leaving on the left the reservoir of the ruined waterworks.

From Project Gutenberg

Would the waterworks fail and the rabble catch her, after all?

From Project Gutenberg

It was through his instrumentality that Walla Walla secured its waterworks.

From Project Gutenberg

If waterworks are handy, connect the boiler with a hydrant and after filling the boiler, let it receive the hydrant pressure.

From Project Gutenberg

In case no waterworks with good pressure are at hand, you can use a hydraulic pump or a good force pump.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• water system