aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈa-kwə-ˌdəkt 

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

Did you know?

Based partly on the Latin ducere, meaning "lead" or "conduct," the word aqueduct named an ancient civil-engineering marvel. Ancient Rome's aqueduct system, an extraordinary feat of engineering, brought water to the city from as far as 57 miles (92 kilometers) away. Only a portion of the Roman aqueducts utilized the familiar stone arch; most were underground conduits made of stone or terra-cotta pipe. Modern aqueduct systems now often use reinforced concrete for large water mains, and ductile iron, a stronger and more elastic type of cast iron, for smaller underground pipes.

Synonyms

• canal

Examples of aqueduct in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The largest share of water consumed throughout San Diego County is imported by aqueducts from outside the county. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Spain pulses with fiery rhythm—where flamenco flares in moonlit plazas and ancient Roman aqueducts stride across golden fields. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Three days earlier, the 15-year-old boy and dad Raul Ramirez were traveling on Interstate 5 when their SUV went off the road and into the aqueduct, according to the outlets. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Take a quick detour to see the Pulgas Water Temple, a Beaux Arts memorial and reflecting pool marking the western end of the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct, which brings drinking water from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite to the Peninsula. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for aqueduct

• deconstruct
• reconstruct
• abduct
• conduct
• construct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• instruct
• obstruct
• bucked
• chucked

Kids Definition

aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈak-wə-ˌdəkt 

1

: an artificial channel for water

especially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing water

2

: a structure that carries the water of a canal across a river or hollow

Etymology

from Latin aquaeductus "aqueduct," from aquae, form of aqua "water," and ductus "act of conducting or leading" — related to duct

Medical Definition

aqueduct

noun

aq·​ue·​duct ˈak-wə-ˌdəkt 

: a canal or passage in a part or organ