irrigation

noun

ir·​ri·​ga·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the watering of land by artificial means to foster plant growth

2

: the therapeutic flushing of a body part with a stream of liquid

Examples of irrigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditional irrigation was not part of the system. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

But the pipes from the old irrigation systems remained. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

In addition, 50% of global domestic water is now derived from groundwater, and 40% of irrigation water is drawn from aquifers being steadily drained. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026

The report calls for a series of actions, including transforming farming — by far the biggest global user of water — through shifting crops and more efficient irrigation; better water monitoring using AI and remote sensing; reducing pollution; and increasing protection for wetlands and groundwater. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for irrigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

irrigation

noun

ir·​ri·​ga·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən 

: an act or process of irrigating