irrigation

noun

ir·​ri·​ga·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce irrigation (audio)
1
: the watering of land by artificial means to foster plant growth
2
: the therapeutic flushing of a body part with a stream of liquid

Examples of irrigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The report noted that 61% of homeowners had a greater desire to be home after an irrigation system was installed. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2025 An irrigation system keeps plantings and the lawn well-watered. — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025 In New Mexico, some water users, including the irrigation district, rely on water piped from the Colorado River watershed into the Chama and then the Rio Grande. — Laura Paskus, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025 The policy came after years of taxpayer money paying for repairs of broken irrigation systems, damage to trees and other city property, Holland said. — Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irrigation

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of irrigation was in 1612

Rhymes for irrigation

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Browse Nearby Words

irrigate
irrigation
irrigational
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Cite this Entry

“Irrigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrigation. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

irrigation

noun
ir·​ri·​ga·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce irrigation (audio)
: an act or process of irrigating

More from Merriam-Webster on irrigation

Nglish: Translation of irrigation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irrigation

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