aqueduct

noun aq·ue·duct \ ˈa-kwə-ˌdəkt \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: aqueduct in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of aqueduct

1 a : a conduit for water; especially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water

b : a structure for conveying a canal over a river or hollow

2 : a canal or passage in a part or organ

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Examples of aqueduct in a Sentence

marveled at the ancient Roman aqueducts that still carry water to distant villages

Recent Examples of aqueduct from the Web

The tomb was discovered in the Case Rosse area west of the center of Rome by an earthmover working to extend an aqueduct about 6 feet underground.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Construction Workers Find Rare Intact Roman Tomb," 13 June 2018
The water conservation district uses power from the generating plant to operate an aqueduct system that moves Colorado River Water to cities, farmers and tribes in central and southern Arizona.

— ryan randazzo, azcentral, "Despite protests from Navajo miners, Central Arizona Project approves power deal," 7 June 2018
It was constructed by order of Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1762 at the ending point of the Roman aqueduct Aqua Virgo.

— USA TODAY, "Beautiful views of Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain," 21 Apr. 2018
The list includes an 18th century fortress on a tiny Brittany island, the home of writer Aime Cesaire in the Caribbean, a 12th century Burgundy castle and a Roman aqueduct in eastern France.

— Fox News, "France launches lottery to help restore chateaux, monuments," 1 June 2018
The aqueduct has been regarded as the engineering marvel of the canal.

— peter marteka, courant.com, "The Ruins Of An Engineering Wonder Along The Farmington River," 13 May 2018
Two aqueducts are supplying Caracas with less than half the normal amount of water because the firm has not maintained pumping stations.

— The Economist, "How chavismo makes the taps run dry in Venezuela," 10 May 2018
One exception is a figure of Agrippa, the person in charge of building the aqueduct in 19 B.C. Tradition states that visitors who want to return to Rome in the future should turn their back and toss a coin into the fountain.

— USA TODAY, "Beautiful views of Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain," 21 Apr. 2018
Van Nuys thrived, Canoga Park dumped its unfortunate former name of Owensmouth and fared better, but Marian remained farmland, even after the aqueduct opened and water flowed freely across the Valley.

— scott garner, latimes.com, "Neighborhood Spotlight: Reseda, a Valley proxy, is slightly sleepy but not sluggish," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aqueduct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Based party on the Latin ducere, meaning "lead" or "conduct", the word aqueduct named an ancient civil-engineering marvel. You may have seen photos of the great arches of ancient aqueducts spanning valleys in countries throughout the old Roman Empire, practical pipelines that are also regarded as works of timeless beauty. From the 20th century, the 242-mile Colorado River Aqueduct, the 336-mile Central Arizona Project, and the 444-mile California Aqueduct are considered wonders of American engineering, but they are not renowned for their beauty. Most aqueducts today either are riverlike channels or run underground, perhaps appearing simply as a long mound.

Origin and Etymology of aqueduct

Latin aquaeductus, from aquae (genitive of aqua) + ductus act of leading — more at duct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1538

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

aqueduct Synonyms

Synonyms

canal, channel, conduit, course, flume, racecourse, raceway, watercourse, waterway;

Related Words

millrace, millstream;

floodway, sluice, sluiceway, spillway;

swash, tideway, torrent;

gutter, trough;

river, rivulet, stream;

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

AQUEDUCT Defined for English Language Learners

aqueduct

noun

Definition of aqueduct for English Language Learners

: a structure that looks like a bridge and that is used to carry water over a valley; also : a pipe or channel that is used to bring water to an area