: the volume (as of irrigation water) that would cover one acre to a depth of one foot

Examples of acre-foot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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During the cool water releases in 2024, nearly 900,000 acre-feet of water bypassed the generators, costing $19 million in replacement energy costs, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 27 May 2026 During the cool water releases in 2024, nearly 900,000 acre-feet of water bypassed the generators, costing $19 million in replacement energy costs, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. ABC News, 26 May 2026 The coalition’s plan says the region can secure up to 2 million acre-feet of local water per year. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 Within the first five years, the town slashed pumping by nearly 30%, going from 14,300 acre-feet of water, roughly 4.7 billion gallons, to 10,100 acre-feet last year, about 3.3 billion gallons. Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for acre-foot

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acre-foot was in 1889

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Cite this Entry

“Acre-foot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acre-foot. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

acre-foot

noun
: the volume (as of irrigation water) that would cover one acre to a depth of one foot

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