hydrologic cycle

noun

: the sequence of conditions through which water passes from vapor in the atmosphere through precipitation upon land or water surfaces and ultimately back into the atmosphere as a result of evaporation and transpiration

called also hydrological cycle, water cycle

Examples of hydrologic cycle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because of its influence on hydrologic cycles, El Niño can bring catastrophic floods to some regions but severe drought and wildfires to others. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 July 2026

Hard water occurs naturally in the hydrologic cycle as these minerals are found in underground rocks that are dissolved into the water through erosion. Homes that operate on well water systems tend to see hard water issues more than homes that run on city water. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026

The conversation was all about the Los Angeles fires and the changes in the hydrologic cycle. — Peter Bergen, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025

But increasingly, California water regulators are struggling to manage supplies for 39 million residents, agriculture and the environment as climate change warps the hydrologic cycle and brings longer-lasting and more severe droughts. — Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2023

Forest cover in Brazil is especially important, since the hydrologic cycle starts in that country. — Thomas Lovejoy, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020

Whiteway and his colleagues, however, were interested in the role clouds play in the Martian hydrologic cycle. — Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 29 Dec. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrologic cycle

• motorcycle
• recycle

Kids Definition

hydrologic cycle

noun

hy·​dro·​logic cycle

ˌhī-drə-ˌläj-ik-

: the series of conditions through which water naturally passes from water vapor in the air to being deposited (as by rain or snow) on earth's surface and finally back into the air especially as a result of evaporation