groundwater

noun

ground·​wa·​ter ˈgrau̇nd-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: water within the earth especially that supplies wells and springs

Examples of groundwater in a Sentence

There were concerns about contaminated groundwater.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only do these sites pose a nuisance to the neighbors who live adjacent to or near them, in some cases the material being dumped includes industrial and household waste that can leach into the groundwater. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025

One of the main culprits is the extraction of groundwater to quench the thirst of growing populations and commerce. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 May 2025

This pace is driven mainly by unsustainable groundwater extraction, experts say, though it’s also exacerbated by rising sea levels. —Lindsey McGinnis, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025

Rappahannock River: Threatened by declining groundwater levels and a lack of water supply strategy amidst rapid population growth and expanding industries like data centers. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for groundwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• headwater
• manslaughter

Kids Definition

groundwater

noun

ground·​wa·​ter ˈgrau̇n-ˌdwȯt-ər 

-ˌdwät-

: water within the earth that supplies wells and springs