irrigate

verb

Save Word

ir·ri·gate | \ ˈir-ə-ˌgāt

irrigated; irrigating

Definition of irrigate

transitive verb

1 : wet, moisten: such as

a : to supply (land, crops, etc.) with water by artificial means irrigating the cotton plants irrigates 20 acres of farmland

b : to flush (a body part) with a stream of liquid irrigate the wound with saline solution the eye was irrigated following chemical exposure

2 : to refresh as if by watering

intransitive verb

: to practice irrigation A tensiometer (soil moisture probe), available at any garden center, helps take the guesswork out of irrigating. — The Benicia (California) Herald

Other Words from irrigate Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about irrigate

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for irrigate

Synonyms

Examples of irrigate in a Sentence

The surgeon irrigated the wound. if you get the chemical in your eye, irrigate the eye thoroughly with water

Recent Examples on the Web But a lot is riding on Mexico following through with plans to improve its sewage system and complete a water-recycling project that would clean up tainted effluent so it can be used to irrigate vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley. — Michael Smolens Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Mexico’s effort will be key in reducing sewage spills; U.S. can’t do it alone," 19 Feb. 2021 With agriculture using a large share of the water, the idea is that some ranchers and farmers could irrigate less or leave some fields temporarily dry in exchange for payments. — Ian James, AZCentral.com, "Climate's toll on the Colorado River: 'We can weather maybe a couple of years'," 1 Jan. 2021 Architectural styles like modern farmhouse and midcentury modern will surround a pocket park with a stand of mature trees, native plants and a cistern to irrigate the site. — Dallas News, "Hoffmann Homes to build in East Dallas’ new green community," 17 Jan. 2021 Scleria chevalieri—This Senagalese plant, last seen in 1929, once grew in swamps that have since been drained to irrigate local gardens. — John R. Platt, Scientific American, "What We've Lost: The Species Declared Extinct in 2020," 13 Jan. 2021 In 2006, Pueblo West agreed to irrigate and revive the land. — New York Times, "Wall Street Eyes Billions in the Colorado’s Water," 3 Jan. 2021 During the heat waves, Gingerich has needed to irrigate more to keep the trees healthy. — Ian James, AZCentral.com, "Climate's toll on the Colorado River: 'We can weather maybe a couple of years'," 1 Jan. 2021 While the farm has long had a large reservoir on it, more recently Dabbs has started using only surface water to irrigate after wells began to dry up. — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, "Arkansas receives $3.2M EPA grant to combat water pollution," 21 Nov. 2020 While some farmers depend on groundwater to irrigate their crops, Dabbs said his farms draw water from two reservoirs on his property. — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, "Arkansas receives $3.2M EPA grant to combat water pollution," 21 Nov. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about irrigate

Dictionary Entries near irrigate

irrigation efficiency

Statistics for irrigate

Last Updated

2 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Irrigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irrigate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for irrigate

irrigate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of irrigate

: to supply (something, such as land) with water by using artificial means (such as pipes)

medical : to clean (a wound or a part of the body) with flowing liquid (such as water)

See the full definition for irrigate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

irrigate

verb

ir·ri·gate | \ ˈir-ə-ˌgāt

irrigated; irrigating

Kids Definition of irrigate

1 : to supply (as land) with water by artificial means irrigate crops

2 : to clean with a flow of liquid irrigate a wound

irrigate

transitive verb

ir·ri·gate | \ ˈir-ə-ˌgāt

irrigated; irrigating

Medical Definition of irrigate

: to flush (a body part) with a stream of liquid irrigate the wound with saline to remove debris the eye was irrigated for 10 minutes following chemical exposure