Watergate

1 of 2

noun (1)

Wa·​ter·​gate ˈwȯ-tər-ˌgāt How to pronounce Watergate (audio)
ˈwä-
: a scandal usually involving abuses of office, skulduggery, and a cover-up

water gate

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
: a gate (as of a building) giving access to a body of water
2

Examples of Watergate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are pagodas and stupas, ancient wells, ceramic kilns, walls and water gates, and canals and lakes. Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian, 21 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Watergate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Watergate, apartment and office complex in Washington, D.C.; from the scandal following the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters there in 1972

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1973, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Watergate was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near Watergate

Cite this Entry

“Watergate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Watergate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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